Between the Covers

Hardcover. Two albums. Olblong folios. Measuring 13" x 18". String-tied decorative silk over stiff paper boards. Contains 457 black and white or sepia-toned gelatin silver photographs measuring between 1½" x 2½" and 7" x 9", some with captions in Czech. Near fine albums with fine photographs.

A set of two large scrapbook albums with Asian inspired decorated silk covering the boards in green and red. The albums document the residency and travels of a Czechoslovak military advisor to North Korea over 18 months from May 1955 until November 1956. The first page of the first album has a full page hand-drawn map of Korea with the flag next to it and the dates of his travels on the other side. The album features photos of the year and a half spent in the country with images of locals, cities, and customs, as well as military personnel. Koreans are shown performing on stage in a traditional production, participating in sporting events, and working in rice paddies. A few of the photos are combined to create panoramic views of the country. Also pictured throughout the album are images of statues and pagodas.

Because of the nature of his time in Korea many of the photographs show military personnel in meetings, marching, at attention, and in candid photos. One group of photos shows a marching military band in elaborate uniforms. Another set shows men in trucks driving past cheering crowds. Men are seen wounded, marching distances, posed in military winter gear, at target practice, and at meals. One section of photos shows an Albanian dance being performed on stage for the company. The men are also seen participating in leisure activities including ping pong, spending time with local girls, and swimming. The compiler also spent time in China going to Peking where he collected and mounted commercial photographs of pagodas and tourist sites. One group of photos shows workers at a factory being inspected.

An expansive collection of photographs covering an interesting trip to Asia by a Czech advisor. Albums of photographs of the highly insular Hermit Kingdom are elusive.

Item #410085