Photo Album of Navy Sailor in WWII-era Mediterranean

Navy, Photo Album

Photo Album

This album was made by a sailor aboard a warship docked in the Mediterranean, with photographs from Malta and Italy. 35 pages. 187 black and white silver gelatin photographs. 13" x 10.25" inches album, with photos ranging from 2.25" x 3.25" to 10" x 8", most on the smaller end of the range. Original green leatherette covers over nylon. Many of the photos appear to be taken in the port and shipyards of Valletta, Malta, a medieval walled city. The pictures were likely taken in the days following World War II or following Italy's capitulation in 1943. The sailor appears to be on an American vessel in one of the photos but could be a part of the British navy as well. Some photos near the end depict bombed out buildings in an old quarter of a city. Due to its strategic position as an island between the southern tip of Europe and North Africa, Malta was one of the most heavily bombed regions of the war and was effectively under siege for three years by German and Italian forces. Axis bombers targeted Malta because it was a base of operations for British naval and air forces, particularly in the North African campaign. Eventually, the Axis had to divert their forces away from Malta towards the flagging North African campaign due to the tenacious counteroffensive by the British. The album also includes photos of the Italian city of Pisa, including the Leaning Tower, the Piazza del Duomo, and the Cathedral of Pisa. Front cover at lower left corner is partially ripped exposing underlying layer of nylon. Some photos have become loose but album interior is string bound and tight.

Item #17732

Price: $285.00