Between the Covers

Hardcover. Folio measuring 12.5" x 12". String-tied green leatherette album with "scrapbook" stamped in gilt on the front board. Contains 195 black and white or sepia toned gelatin silver photographs measuring between 1" x 1" to 5" x 8" with some captions. Also included are newspaper clippings and Jones' parents wedding announcement. Near fine photo album with some edgewear with near fine photographs.

A photo album compiled by Robert W. Jones of California beginning with his childhood through his time as an officer with the 11th Airborne Division. The first 50 photographs depict Jones’ parents and his childhood in Ingleside, California. Several show an old log cabin, a trip to the Grand Canyon, horseback riding, and Christmas celebrations. The album opens with a page that includes Jones’ parent’s wedding announcement surrounded by portrait photos of family and friends including some photo strip photos. Another group of photos shows Jones after his birth in 1919 being held by his mother. There are also numerous portrait photos of Jones at various ages presumably taken as class photos for school.

Following this there are 150 photographs documenting Jones’ career in the military during the waning days of World War II and the Occupation of Japan. Jones entered into basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas in December of 1943. The album shows portraits of Jones in uniform as well as images of his training with photos of him posing with his rifle and with his fellow soldiers around the barracks. After training he attended officer candidate school and is pictured at the barracks, performing the manual of arms, and participating in a mock bayonet drill. Before heading off to his deployment he went home on leave and is seen posing with his mother and a young boy, presumably his son. Once deployed he was sent to Japan which includes photos of a Sherman tank, paratroopers boarding a Ch-47, Jones with his parachutes, and images of descending paratroopers. Jones had risen to the rank of lieutenant and was a paratrooper with the airborne division in Tokyo. Jones is also featured at his desk in a military office smiling for the camera and sightseeing in Japan. Additionally tipped in are examples of Japanese and Occupation currency. There are also photos of officers and hosts at a formal Japanese dinner with officers seated cross legged and female hosts in traditional kimonos. The final photographs show Jones stateside after leaving the Army and working with a Colorado state road crew.

An interesting collection of wartime photography taken by an officer with an emphasis on the Japanese theater and a paratrooper division.

Item #408170