The bulk of my collection has been culled from endless pages of ebay listings, but I occasionally have the opportunity to discover hidden gems at flea markets and trade shows. Today I attended a Antiquarian Book and Ephemera show at the Sheraton in South Burlington, VT. I attached a link below to help plug this great organization. Anyway, I eagerly searched through thousands of postcards and photos looking for military related images. I saw a few overprices Civil War images, and a number of lack luster WWII photos. My WWI radar was in full swing and I left with a handful of great images. Please enjoy reading about my favorite find!
This wonderful image depicts two band members of the 102nd Field Artillery of the 26th Division. Taken in France in 1918, this RPPC (real photo postcard) has everything going for it. The two doughboys are wearing French style caps with unit designation affixed. Their collar discs are a mix of MASS National Guard insignia and 102nd Field Artillery band discs. The details on the M1911 pistol grips is superb. Even the embossed leather US is visible on the holster.
Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association Website
Check it out!
Really interesting that these men still have their “Mass” collar discs which indicate their origin in the 26th Division from the Mass. National Guard.
Hello there;
I also collect photographs of Doughboys in France from 1917 to early 1920. I have 5 of these photos showing 102nd FA band members. If you give me an email address I can send you a scan of the portrait of R. H. Russell, the bandmaster, taken at the same spot. By the way, these pictures have been taken in Brest.
Sincerely,
Michael