Description:

U.S. AIR SERVICE MEDICAL PERSONNEL'S PHOTO ALBUM AND SCRAPBOOK
A fine photo album 52pp. oblong folio, ca. 1914-1925, assembled by a George F. Marcoux of Rensselaer, New York, primarily chronicling his World War I service as an enlisted member of the medical detachment at Payne Field, a U.S. Army Air Service training field located near West Point, Mississippi. The album contains approx. 160 original photos (22 detached), including numerous views of Marcoux and his fellow soldiers in uniform, boxing, setting up a liquor still, performing a minstrel show in blackface, a mock ‘execution' and more. Two large (8 x 6 in.) photos provide an overview of Payne Field from its water tower, while four real-photo post cards show the field's Curtiss JN-4 ‘Jenny' training aircraft. Interestingly, approx. 15 photos depict Marcoux and his friends interacting with Black Mississippi civilians, men, women and children alike, including one 116-year-old former slave labeled ‘Uncle Tom', who makes numerous appearances. The majority of the photos contained in the album are labeled by Marcoux with the names of the subjects or other descriptive details. Many additional pre- and post-war family photos are also included. The album also functions as a scrapbook, collecting numerous newspaper clippings announcing such events as the Armistice, the Spanish Flu pandemic, and the creation of the new German Republic at Weimar. The collection also includes documents, ephemera and artifacts directly related to Marcoux's service, including his notice to appear for his physical examination, his U.S. Army and New York State Militia registration cards, his Air Service Flying School passes, his Honorable Discharge chevron, and a small 48-star flag, bearing an inscription indicating that it was presented to the ‘...most popular representative of Payne Aviation Field' by the mayor of West Point. Much else besides, including numerous essays and humorous poems written or typed by Marcoux, and letters to and from home. Should be seen.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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