AFRICAN AMERICAN WWII SOLDIERS IN WINTER : ORIGINAL 4×5 MILITARY PHOTOGRAPH

This original 4 x 5 inch vintage military photograph captures a remarkable moment in history — a group of African American U.S. Army soldiers posed together outdoors in the snow, likely during World War II. The men are dressed in heavy winter gear, their breath likely visible in the frigid air. The background shows a transport truck with a star insignia partially visible on its canvas cover, suggesting a wartime setting somewhere in Europe, possibly during the winter campaigns of the mid-1940s. The soldiers appear proud, resilient, and close-knit. Their expressions range from serious determination to quiet camaraderie, and their varying ranks are evident in the uniforms. A few men wear double-breasted officer’s coats and visored caps, while others are in standard-issue enlisted field jackets, some with visible rank patches on their sleeves. The men at the front crouch slightly in the snow, while others stand behind or perch atop the truck, creating a sense of depth and unity. Their formation — loose yet organized — gives the impression of a group that has served closely together under difficult conditions. The crisp folds of the coats, the gleam of brass buttons, and the confident posture of many of the soldiers speak to pride and professionalism. The snowy terrain and visible breath in the air heighten the sense of endurance. Despite the freezing environment, there is warmth in the image — in the subtle smiles, the shared closeness, and the sense of brotherhood among these men. The composition itself feels spontaneous, likely taken by a military photographer documenting the daily life and teamwork of a segregated unit. African American soldiers served heroically in segregated divisions throughout the war, including truck battalions, engineer units, and quartermaster corps, all essential to the Allied effort. While there is no press caption affixed, the photograph’s clarity and subject matter unmistakably identify it as a wartime image of an African American U.S. Army unit. (SOLD)

Published in: on March 8, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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THE GLORY OF WAR (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS)

POSTCARD 1 (SOLD)
warPOSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)

These vintage real photo postcards extol the glory of war. We see images of a cute little boy playing with his toy soldiers. Above him, we see an image of a smiling World War I soldier looking down on the young lad. Perhaps these photographs can be interpreted as a soldier at war fondly remembering his days playing with toy soldiers. A second interpretation may be that a little boy is fantasizing fighting in a “real war” while he is playing with his militaristic toys. It is clear that these photo postcards were aimed to stimulate feelings of patriotism during a time of war. Many generations of young boys have had a skewed view of war. Fighting wars has been viewed as glorious and exciting. One teenager once told me that he didn’t want to live his life without having the experience of going to war. When these young boys (and in present times….girls) grow up and become participants in warfare, they realize that the fantasy is nothing like the reality. These postcards are an example of propaganda meant to garner support for France, it’s policies, and it’s troops. These postcards were published in France and are part of a series (0 549).  (ALL THREE POSTCARDS SOLD)

Published in: on March 4, 2026 at 11:30 am  Comments (2)  
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THE GREAT WAR IMPACTS A LOVELY FAMILY IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

vienna-soldier

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. 

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236611047105

 

Published in: on February 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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AFRICAN AMERICAN U.S. SOLDIER : NICE, FRANCE : 1954 : CIVIL RIGHTS : SNAPSHOT

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

Published in: on January 31, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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POW CAPT. JAMES R. SHIVELY USAF : HANOI 1967 : TWO NVA SOLDIERS : PRESS PHOTO

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)

Published in: on January 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SIKH SOLDIERS BRITISH INDIAN ARMY : BASTILLE DAY : PARIS : POSTCARD : WW I 1916

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)

Published in: on December 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CARL SCHURZ ; CIVIL WAR GENERAL & SENATOR : WARREN’S, BOSTON : CABINET CARD

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)

Published in: on November 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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WWI SOLDIERS : PATRIOTIC : U.S. FLAG BACKDROP : RPPC 1904-1918

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

Published in: on November 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MERRILL’S MARUDERS : BURMA : WW ll : JUNGLE FIGHTERS : PRESS PHOTO

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

Published in: on October 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GENERAL FREDERICK WAYAND : VIETNAM WAR : CHIEF OF US FORCES : PRESS PHOTO 

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 Korean War. 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)

Published in: on September 23, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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