brian cassidy bookselle

38.
[WWII]: [Photography]
BETZ, Peter R. (Photographer)
[Archive of 1100+ Original Photographs of a WWII
Soldier’s Life in the Pacific Theater]
(Various), (1927-46)
Archive of more than 1,100 vernacular photographs from the service
of a single soldier before, during, and immediately after World War
II. Contained in five albums:
(1) Oblong string-tied commercial album measuring approximately 13”
x 10.5”. Imitation leather titled “Photographs” with small portrait
photo, cut to the shape of a key-hole, fixed to front cover. 163 photographs
of various snapshot sizes, corner-mounted to leaves recto
and verso, most with holograph captions and several small doodles.
Approximately half are colorized. Photographs depict family vacations,
bicycle racing, aviation, scouting, and other subjects, dated
from 1927 to 1935. Five photographs and a bicycle race program laidin.
Four hand-made title pages dividing album into sections. Album is
generally in good condition, with some rubbing and wear and a tear at
the front cover to which tape has been applied. “Aviation Section”
of nine leaves is lacking most photographs. First painted title page
adhered to the cover opposing it. Most photos about fine.
(2) Oblong commercial photo album measuring 13.75” x 10.75” approx.
Lacquer cover with surfing scene and “Aloha Hawaii” at rear; lacking
front cover. 226 B&W photographs, most with captions, corner mounted
to 25 leaves recto and verso. Photos primarily military scenes in Hawaii
and Panama from 1937-1938 with several family photographs. Album
in poor condition: lacking the front cover, rear cover and leaves
edge-worn and many photographs loose from their mounts. Still most
photographs about fine.
(3) Oblong string-tied commercial album titled “Photographs,” 15” x
11.5” approx. Hand-lettered title page “G.I./ Memories/Feb. 6 1942-
Nov. 17 1945” (above right) with domestic and Pacific theatre place
names listed. 202 photographs, various sizes, most 4” x 2.75” approx.
Photos primarily from Hawaii and New Guinea. Laid in at rear is
a promotional calendar for 1944, upon which a rendering of a B-2 has
been drawn. Album generally good. Front cover detached but present.
Covers edge-worn. Leaves suffer some chipping to edges. Some photographs
have come loose from their mounts, but most in fine condition.
(4) Oblong string-tied album, 13.25” x 10.25” approx. Brown imitation
leather with “Photographs” printed at front cover. 252 photographs
of various snapshot sizes, a handful larger, mounted recto
and verso to 36 leaves plus leaf of photo-strips with a total of 50
images. Most photos with holograph captions from Oahu, New Guinea,
and various locations throughout the Philippines. Dated 1945. Album
suffers some edge-wear, front joint starting. Several pages disbound.
Some photographs dismounted, most generally fine.
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