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Offered here is an excellent intact grouping of 51 original WWII-era German soldier photographs together with their original Perutz Persenso-Film photo-processing packet. The photographs came together and appear to document the travels and wartime service of the same German soldier and his comrades, primarily in occupied Norway, with handwritten captions identifying Bergen, the Hardangerfjord, 1942 and 1943.
This is much more interesting than a random assortment of loose military photographs because numerous images show the same soldiers, locations and journey, while the handwritten captions on the backs help establish where portions of the collection were taken.
Subjects visible throughout the 51-photo group include German soldiers in uniform, individual portraits, groups of comrades, helmeted troops, large military formations, barracks and quarters, Norwegian towns, harbors and ships, rocky coastal landscapes, cemeteries, gardens, buildings and scenes of wartime destruction.
Several photographs are especially noteworthy. One shows four helmeted German soldiers posed together, including a soldier equipped with binoculars. Other photographs show large formations of troops, groups posed outside wooden military buildings, soldiers overlooking harbor areas, men aboard or alongside a vessel, individual uniform portraits and extensive views of Norway's rugged coastline.
Handwritten Captions / Locations
Several backs retain original handwritten German captions. Readable examples include:
“Bergen” — Bergen, Norway.
“Soldatenfriedhof Bergen” — “Soldiers’ Cemetery, Bergen.”
“Oper Bergen” — “Bergen Opera / Opera House.”
“Hardanger 43” — “Hardanger, 1943.”
“Auf der Fahrt im Hardangerfjord nach Bergen” — approximately “On the journey through the Hardangerfjord to Bergen.”
“Markt” — “Market / Marketplace.”
Other backs appear to contain additional place names and dates, including 1942, while several captions are written too faintly or in cursive too difficult to translate with certainty. Some photographs also appear to be captioned “Italien” (Italy), suggesting that the soldier's travels or service represented in the group may have extended beyond Norway.
The photographs themselves retain period photographic-paper markings, including LEONAR markings visible on the backs of numerous examples.
Original Norwegian Photo Packet
Included is the original Perutz Persenso-Film processing packet in which the photographs were kept.
The packet bears a photographic dealer/processors stamp from Haugesund, Norway, further supporting the Norwegian origin of the collection.
The front also appears to have been handwritten “Soldatenbilder”, meaning:
“Soldier photographs” / “Pictures of soldiers.”
Printed Norwegian advertising on the packet promotes Perutz photographic film. Portions translate approximately as:
“Peromnia film gives good results — both in sun and rain.”
and:
“You will get excellent pictures on Perutz Persenso film.”
The photographic order envelope also states approximately:
“Some of your good films will certainly make good enlargements. Our prices are very reasonable!”
This surviving processing packet is a particularly nice addition because it helps preserve the photographs as an identifiable period group rather than simply 51 unrelated snapshots.
Historical Interest
Together, the photographs provide a fascinating visual record of a German serviceman's wartime experience, particularly in Norway during 1942–1943. The combination of military portraits, troop formations, Bergen scenes, the Bergen soldiers' cemetery, Hardangerfjord travel, Norwegian coastal scenery, harbor photographs, barracks life and the original Haugesund photographic packet gives the collection excellent historical and research potential.
There are some duplicate and near-duplicate photographs, which is typical of a personal wartime photograph grouping and further supports their common origin.
Lot includes: 51 original period photographs + original Perutz Persenso-Film processing packet.
Condition varies throughout the group with normal age and handling wear. The original packet shows age, folds and edge wear. Photographs remain generally well preserved for their age. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact contents and condition.
Guaranteed original period photographs and packet. Sold together exactly as shown.
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