Lot 921

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Description:


A historically-important photo album filled with great war-related photographs, a total of 258 original photographs, most approx. 5.25 x 4 in., taken and compiled by ALEXANDER KENNEDY (1847 - 1928), a leading British civil and electrical engineer responsible for many of the first electrical generating stations in London. Also an 'amateur' photographer, Kennedy published the photobook 'Ypres to Verdun: A Collection of Photographs of the War Areas in France & Flanders' in 1921. This incredible album bears many of the original photographs shown in that publication, with almost all bearing Kennedy's hand-inked annotations of the location shown, as well as the date it was taken. Far too many to mention individually, just a small selection of these impressive photographs include: war-torn buildings in Verdun, Amiens, Ypres, Missy, Soissons, Brie Chateau, Suzanne, Combles, Foucancourt, Lens, and others; numerous fortifications along the Somme; images of the Argonne Forest and the Compiegne Forest; photographs of the trenches, encampments, and barbed wire fencing of the French, Belgian, and British armies; images of 'No Man's Land', with fallen trees and still-visible shell-holes from combatant's bombardments; a human skull sitting within a German trench, taken 1919, potentially left undisturbed since war's end; a destroyed tank sitting along 'Clapham Junction' of Menin Road; and much more. The album remains securely bound within brown boards, with the gilt title 'FRENCH WAR AREAS 1920' on the cover, and the photographs within remain securely affixed to the pages with none having been removed. Certainly one of the most incredible World War I-era photo albums we have ever offered. Very fine, near faultless condition. Sold with four signed items sent to Kennedy, signed by ARMAND DE CEUNINCK (1858 - 1935), Belgian Minister of War who served in the last year of World War I, leading the Sixth Division through the Second Battle of Ypres, awarded the cross of commander of the Legion d'Honneur for his efforts. Includes: two photo postcards; an A.L.S. in English, 4pp. 12mo., Ypres, Feb. 20, 1922; and an A.L.S in French, 1p. 8vo., Ypres, January 20, 1922. This grouping originates directly from Kennedy's estate, and is being consigned by a direct descendant.

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October 29, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000