War is hell to nations, communities, and families. In “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), novelist and World War I veteran Ernest Hemingway wrote “There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene.” This cabinet card photograph illustrates the impact of war on a family. The two men in uniform are likely the father and oldest son of the family. The men could not look more serious. Perhaps at the time of this photograph their nation was near, or at war. The remainder of the family (mother, two daughters, and a son) look extremely concerned and worried. The welfare of their nation and their family unit was in jeopardy. This terrific photograph speaks loudly and clearly about the horror of war. The photographer of this emotionally charged image is Ant. Knoll who operated a studio in Vienna, Austria.
This real photo postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $65.00 or best offer.
This vintage snapshot photograph features an African American US soldier writing a letter home while he is stationed in Nice, France, in 1954. He also write an inscription on the reverse of this photograph. He points out that his wall locker, doors open, can be seen in the background. He adds that the photos on the inside of his locker are pin ups. He signed the inscription, “Bill”. An interesting factor that many people don’t realize is that the US Army was not fully integrated until November, 1954. That is eleven months after this photograph was taken. The initial order to integrate the military was signed by President Truman in July, 1948. SOLD
This item is an original c1967 Cold War–era press photograph distributed by the Hungarian news agency MTI Külföldi Képszolgálat. This powerful image shows Captain James Richard Shively, U.S. Air Force, being presented before journalists in Hanoi, flanked by North Vietnamese guards, following the shoot-down of his F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber during Operation Rolling Thunder. The translated printed Hungarian caption below the image reads: “Hanoi. At a press conference they presented James R. ‘Sayveli’ (Texas-born) flight lieutenant, pilot of one of the downed American bombers.” (Hungarian press agencies often rendered foreign names phonetically; ‘Sayveli’ correctly refers to James R. Shively.) Shively was born in 1942 in Wheeler, Texas. He graduated from the United States Air Foce Academy in 1964. He was shot down in May of 1967 near Hanoi on his 69th combat mission with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Takhli, Thailand. He was held in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for nearly six years, enduring brutal torture and starvation. He was released in February of 1973 during Operation Homecoming. He received silver star and multiple service medals. After the war he earned a law degree from Gonzaga, became a federal prosecutor, and served as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. He died exactly 33 years to the day after his release. The year of his death was 2006. (SOLD)
This striking World War I–era postcard captures a powerful and historically important moment: Indian Sikh soldiers marching through Paris on July 14, 1916, France’s Bastille Day. The scene shows a column of turbaned Sikh troops advancing down a Parisian boulevard, sabers drawn, while a French woman steps forward to present flowers—an evocative gesture of gratitude and solidarity from the French public toward Allied colonial troops. The men are Sikh soldiers serving in the British Indian Army, identifiable by their turbans, beards, and traditional curved sabers (talwars), worn alongside British military uniforms and equipment. Sikh regiments were highly respected for their discipline and battlefield effectiveness, and tens of thousands served on the Western Front during the First World War. Many fought in France and Belgium between 1914 and 1918, sustaining heavy casualties far from home. This particular image documents their ceremonial participation in a Paris victory parade, rather than a battlefield scene. By 1916, Sikh and other Indian troops had become a familiar—and deeply symbolic—presence in France, representing the global reach of the Allied war effort. Public parades such as this one were meant to boost morale and emphasize unity among the Allies. The interaction in the foreground—flowers being handed to a senior Sikh soldier—adds a human and emotional layer to the photograph, underscoring the respect these men received from civilians who understood the sacrifices being made on their behalf. The caption under this postcard’s image can be translated as “July 14 in Paris, 1916 – The Indian Sepoys”. The term cipayes (sepoys) was commonly used in French to describe Indian soldiers serving under British command. The small monogram “ELD” at the bottom left of this postcard, is the publisher’s photographic logo and corresponds to Éditions Le Deley, a major Parisian postcard publisher active in the early 20th century. Le Deley was especially known for producing high-quality photographic postcards documenting current events, military subjects, and international themes during World War I. The reverse confirms the publisher as Le Deley, with a Paris address printed along the left edge. Le Deley issued thousands of wartime postcards and played an important role in visually documenting France’s experience during the Great War, including its colonial and Allied forces. (SOLD)
This striking 19th-century cabinet card features The Honorable Carl Schurz (1829-1906), a distinguished Civil War general, U.S. Senator, and reform-minded statesman. The photograph was taken at Warren’s Portraits, a prestigious Boston studio located at 465 Washington Street and renowned for its elegant images of notable figures during the late 1800s. In this formal portrait, Schurz is captured in a three-quarter view, seated in a dark, double-breasted coat with a subtle bow tie at his collar. His thick, well-kept beard and wavy hair give him a scholarly yet commanding presence. He gazes slightly to his left, a monocle suspended at his eye—projecting a look of intellectual rigor and seriousness. The background is a simple studio gradient, helping focus all attention on Schurz’s intense expression and refined appearance. On the reverse, the card is elegantly marked with the Warren’s Portraits logo. In pencil is written: “Hon. Carl Schurz,” affirming the identity of the sitter. Carl Schurz was born in Liblar, Prussia (modern-day Germany) in 1829. A revolutionary in his youth, he fought in the 1848 German uprisings, which ultimately failed, forcing him to flee Europe. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, where he quickly became involved in politics and the anti-slavery movement. During the American Civil War, Schurz was appointed brigadier general of Union volunteers by President Lincoln in 1862. He eventually rose to the rank of major general. Though courageous and respected, his battlefield performance received mixed reviews. He fought in key engagements including: the Second Battle of Bull Run (1862), the Battle of Chancellorsville (1863), and the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), where his XI Corps was flanked on the first day. While he was not a professional military man, Schurz’s service was notable for his efforts to advocate for German-American troops and his commitment to the Union cause. He did not have prior military experience in Europe before serving in the U.S. Army. After the war, Schurz enjoyed a long and prominent career in politics. He served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri (1869–1875) and later as Secretary of the Interior under President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877–1881). A staunch advocate of civil service reform and anti-corruption measures, he became one of the leading voices of the Liberal Republican movement. This cabinet card was produced by Warren’s Portraits, one of Boston’s most prominent photography studios in the 19th century. Operated by William Shaw Warren, the studio specialized in elegant, high-quality portraits and was especially known for photographing celebrities, politicians, military figures, and distinguished members of Boston society. Warren’s operated primarily during the 1860s through the 1890s. Warren’s images often feature clean studio backdrops, strong lighting, and detailed retouching, emphasizing refinement and dignity—qualities clearly present in this cabinet card of Carl Schurz. (SOLD)
This original real photo postcard captures two World War I-era American soldiers posed proudly in front of a large U.S. flag backdrop. Both men wear their service uniforms complete with campaign hats, buttoned shirts, and breeches tucked into puttees or leggings. The soldier on the left is seated with legs crossed, hands resting naturally, and gazes directly at the camera. The standing soldier rests his hand casually on his comrade’s shoulder, creating a sense of camaraderie. The flag’s stars and stripes fill the background, adding a strong patriotic tone to the image. The reverse of this postcard has an AZO stamp box indicating that it dates back to between 1904 and 1918. The card’s style and subject matter suggest that the postcard likely dates to the World War I period (circa 1917–1919). SOLD
This vintage press photo features members of Merrill’s Maruders, a specialized American fighting group that fought the Japanese in the jungles of North Burma. They fought much like the Japanese soldiers. This American unit used Guerilla war tactics. The American unit was officially known as the 5307th Composite Unit. They conducted long-range penetration missions behind enemy lines. They were established in 1943 and named after their commander, Brigadier General Frank Merrill. All members of the Maruders were volunteers from various Army division. Many were already skilled in jungle warfare. The US soldiers faced many challenges besides facing Japanese forces. The Americans had to deal with harsh weather, disease and supply shortages. The unit completed their mission in 1944 and were disbanded. Many consider the Maruder’s as the predecessor to US modern day special forces. In 1962, a popular movie was released that told the story of this famous 3000 man unit. The movies, unsurprisingly, was titled “Merrill’s Maruders”. This photo includes eleven members of Merrill’s outfit. They are cooking a meal over a flame. Note the large can of compressed corned beef. Despite the tough conditions, the men are smiling as the pose for this news photograph. The photo was taken by the International News Photo. SOLD
This vintage press photo features General Frederick Carlton Weyand (1916-2010), the last commander of US forces during the Vietnam War (1972-1973). He oversaw the withdrawal of American troops from South Vietnam. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1974 to 1976. He was born in California and graduated as a second lieutenant from ROTC at the University of California (Berkeley). He served during both World War II and the KoreanWar. This photograph shows General Weyand as a four star general. He earned that rank in 1970. This press photo was taken for Agence France-Presse Service.(SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a lovely young couple. The husband is a French non-commissioned officer of the the 156th infantry regiment. The pin on his hat reveals his specific regiment. The soldiers pretty wife apparently likes ruffles. Her long sleeve dress is riddled with ruffles. I’m certainly no fashionista, but I think her dress is lovely as well as interesting. SOLD
This interesting oversized cabinet card was photographed by L. Grillich in Vienna, Austria. The subjects are two very interesting looking young men. One man is wearing a tuxedo and top hat. He is holding a cane and wearing eyeglasses. The second young man appears to be wearing a formal military uniform. He is holding white gloves and wearing a sword. There is likely an interesting story attached to this photograph but that story is lost to history. The photographer of this image was Ludwig Grillich (1855-1926). Grillich was a portrait photographer located in Vienna and in Franzensbad. Included in the list of famous subjects of his portraits, are Johann Strauss, Johannes Brahms and Sigmud Freud. Grillich is also known for a series of postcards he published that displayed many of Vienna’s famous buildings of that era. SOLD
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