Photo Collections

PTO196PTO196

Homogeneous photo collection from an officer in Eritrea/Ethiopia in 1935-6. Different shots of Axum, fantasia, Coptic gathering, local market, regular and irregular indigenous troops, unusual photos of young cadets doing show for Italians, rare photo of Libyan cavalry (possibly General Nasi at the head of it, military camp, nice photo of Ascari and his family, method of crossing a river, military column, holding Mass, numerous photos showing Italian troops fraternizing with the local inhabitants. 88 photos in all. No descriptions. M

Price: $750.00

PTO193

Four photos of a medical officer in Asmara, 1937-1939. Described on reverse. M

Price: $70.00

PTO188

Rare Luce press photo of Generals Badoglio and Gabba leaving a building with Coptic clergy present. M

Price: $30.00

PTO187PTO187

Photo collection from a blackshirt soldier during the invasion of Ethiopia. A number of photos in and around Dessie in May-June, 1936, showing ‘a female Abyssinian contacting a legionnaire’, the American Hospital, a mosque that looks like a church, and locals with Italians. Also photos from Debra Hila, showing a local funeral and local women, at Doghior(sp?) local children and festival of Mescal. Military convoy in the shadow of Amba Alagi, receiving the body of a comrade in camp and his subsequent grave at Enda Chereof, Lake Ashenge after the fighting there, local market and musician. 24 photos, all described. M

Price: $200.00

PTO186

Photo collection from a blackshirt soldier fighting on the Northern Front. Rare photo of soldier at Lake Ashenge just 1 day after the Emperor had passed there and witnessed thousands of his dead soldiers ringing the lake that the Italians had poisoned. Reconnaissance patrol at Dolo on February 2, posing at Amba Alagi on February 26, photos with ascaris May 5-10, surrendered Abyssinians, rare photo of General Santini, a number of photos from Buia. A couple photos before and after this period. 28 photos, many with descriptions and dates. M

Price: $220.00

Note: On 3 April 1936, thousands of soldiers of the Ethiopian Empire were killed with poison gas all around Lake Ashenge. The soldiers were withdrawing from the Battle of Maychew as the Italians sprayed and bombed the area around the lake with mustard gas to deadly effect. On 4 April, Emperor Haile Selassie I looked with despair upon the horrific sight of the dead bodies of his army ringing the poisoned lake

PTO184PTO184

Photo collection from a black shirt artillery officer (probably with the ‘February 1st’ Division). Interesting photo of evening celebration of senior officers of the February 1st Division with all the fine wines and food from Italy. In camp at Adi Caiech during the invasion, local school at Mai Buie, on the Tacaze River, strange photo of an artillery depot, posing at Enda Jesus, Nefasit, Addi Mede Bai, Mai Magu Emru, Adi Abruna and Toconda. Lumber depot at Asti, camp games, dressing up in Ascari tarbouche and sash, more. 32 photos, most contain descriptions on back. M

Price: $285.00

PTO183PTO183

Photo collection from and Italian officer named Masia Michele. He is in Hausien and Adigrat at the peak of the invasion between October 20, 1935 and February, 1936. After the war he is in Asmara and Adi Casci in Eritrea. Interesting photo of a group of soldiers holding up a copy of Illustrazione del Popollo one month into the invasion, soldier with a monkey on his head following a local woman into her hut, logistics depot at Enda Chercos. Most photos described and dated. 12 photos. M

Price: $120.00

PTO182PTO182

Two photos of Italians in post-war Eritrea: 1945 and 1949. Described on reverse. B

Price: $30.00

PTO181

Small group of 5 photos from a soldier named Baci Jaspare from June-September, 1937. Most are from Mai Edaga, Eritrea, one is from Dire Daua. Photos of mixing with locals mainly. All described on reverse. M

Price: $65.00

PTO175PTO175

Group of 26 small photos from an Italian officer. He leaves Italy aboard the ‘Lombardia’ in October 1935, reaching Decemare, Eritrea on November 1. Photos of camp life, a ‘curious’ amba (mountain) at the front of the 2nd Division in December. Local market and engineers at work at Adigorat in January. Well described. M

Price: $100.00