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USMC Dominican Campaign Photo Album--Early 1920s--140+ Photos COOL
$ 39.57
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Description
USMC Dominican Campaign Photo Album--Early 1920sOriginal early 1920s USMC Dominican Campaign photo album, black leather covers with black pulp paper pages, 140-plus photos with a rough breakdown as follows:
[1] Marines and military facilities, 40 photos. Most of the photos of Marines are of the "buddy shot" type.
[2] Little girl holding pistols, wearing crossed cartridge belts, holding bayonets, holding a Marine "prisoner", 5 photos [evidently she was the daughter of American civilians on the island and appears to have probably been the "mascot" of the Marine detachment]. There are several other photos of the same girl minus the weapons.
[3] Scenes of Santo Domingo, Santiago, and other Dominican locations, 50+ photos. Many are inscribed at bottom with a brief description of the image. Photos of interest include Office of Civil Governor and Office of Military Governor, ruins due to revolution/civil war [which was the catalyst for US involvement], street/business scenes, vehicles, and the usual scenery , natives, etc.
[4] Panama Canal scenes, 4 photos.
[5] Shanghai, China scene, 1 photo [evidently the original owner wound up in Shanghai after his Dominican service, which probably explains the Panama scenes].
Many of the photos have the original owner's name typewritten on back, and several photos have an oval ink stamp from M.G. DELANCEY, PHOTOGRAPHER, FOURTH REGT. U.S.M.C., SANTIAGO, D.R.W.I. on back. Original owner appears to have been involved in the construction and/or operation of a wireless station on the island, with about a dozen of the images showing the tent camp and antenna mast tower.
As far as uniforms go, Marines in most of the images are wearing long sleeve uniform shirts and trousers with campaign hats. Several are wearing breeches and leggings in lieu of trousers, and one photo shows original owner in summer cotton service uniform with USMC insignia, overseas cap, and garrison belt. One photo [from about 20 years later] shows the original owner with his son, who served in the US Army during WW2. Original owner's full name and other information will be provided with the album.
The actual album is in very bad shape, typical of these old leather-bound/pulp-paper type albums over the years. Some of the photos are creased and some have small tears, missing pieces on borders, etc., but all images are still nice and sharp. While there are no dates in the album or on the photos, the Dominican Campaign lasted from 1916 to 1924, and judging by civilian dress, hair styles, etc., the album probably dates from the latter part of the campaign [1920-1924 period]. Nice visual record of one Marine's service in the "Banana Wars" of the early 20th century. Album itself is in poor condition, photos are in fair to excellent condition and one price gets the whole thing! Any questions please feel free to ask.