Between the Covers

Hardcover. Oblong quarto. Measuring 13" x 10". Screw bound brown leatherette over stiff paper boards with gilt decorations. Contains 270 sepia-toned or black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring between 2" x 2" and 5" x 7", some with captions. Very good album with worn edges, tears, and rubbing with near fine photographs.

A photo album kept by a Military Police Officer and photographer during the Second World War stationed at Fort Shafter. The photographs are better than average quality and it appears that he was either a military photographer at the time or working on skills art while serving. He photographed local Hawaiians in traditional dress featuring hula dancers, long boats, and fisherman. Many of the images are of pretty girls in traditional hula skirts posed on beaches, some include hand coloring. Some of these photos are posed and appear to be pin-up in nature, one of which is a girl in a hula skirt lounging on a palm tree trunk with a ukulele. He also photographed the landscapes of the island showing the shore, waterfalls, volcanoes, and mountains of the area. Other photos show beach-goers on towels in the sand and surfers catching waves.

Along with photos of civilians and locals he also heavily photographed the military base and fellow MPs. In exceptional shots he captures marching lines of soldiers, artillery, horses, airplanes, and other military vehicles. He also took portrait style photos of fellow soldiers posed in their MP uniforms, on motorcycles, and some in their beach patrol uniforms. One page shows a few men posed with their out-stretched arms holding a gun pointed off camera. A panorama of the men is also here with them posed in lines in front of rows of palm trees. Other photos show action shots of men using large artillery, search lights, and on board ships. The men’s leisure time is also featured throughout the album showing them posed with pretty girls, boxing, and going to see movies at the barracks. The final page of the album shows four photos of a young woman posed in a bathing suit and dresses, possibly a girlfriend or a model.

An extensive collection of better than average soldier photography taken during a tour of duty in Hawaii during World War II.

Item #417618