Artist Index: World War II

Photographer: Willy van Heekern (1898-1989, attributed to). Views of destroyed Essen after bombing during WWII. 1944/45. Circa 62 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver prints, most 17 x 12 cm, some larger circa 32 x 12 cm. Each image with typewritten caption below photo, mounted on one side on album pages, bound in canvas album (traces of use, 30 x 43 x 3 cm).

The photographer responsible for this meticulously compiled photographic documentation is most likely Willy van Heekern. Commissioned by the regional Luftgaukommando Münster, he was tasked with documenting the destruction of Essen "by the enemy" in 1943. Each image, though often barely recognizable due to the destruction, is carefully labeled, sometimes indicating the photographer's precise location. Several photographs show smoking and burning rubble, suggesting that they were taken shortly after the bombing raids. – Some buckling, otherwise in good condition.

Provenance: Robert Lebeck Collection

Various views of Tarnow. 1940. 42 vintage silver gelatin prints mounted to album pages. Each ca. 9,4 x 7,2 cm and vice versa (21 x 30 cm). Album pages annotated and numbered in pencil.

This collection features images of Tarnow, a Polish town, during the German occupation. Tarnow once had one of Eastern Europe's most ideologically diverse Jewish populations, which is showcased in depictions of the local Jewish community. The set also includes views of the New Synagogue in Tarnow, one of Europe's largest synagogues, tragically destroyed by the Nazis in 1939. – Album pages brittle, prints mostly in good condition with strong contrasts.

Album of a German soldier.1938-42. Circa 140 vintage gelatin silver contact prints. Most 8,5 x 13 cm and 9 x 6,5 cm. Mounted to album pages (some wear), bound in contemporary half leather album (25 x 20,5 cm).
The images show a German training camp, air bombing of Cologne as well as private photos of a German soldier and his girlfriend during WWII. – Some photos with oxidation mirroring, otherwise most in good to very good condition.

Souvenir album of a German prisoner of war in the Soviet Union in the prison camp Jelabuga.1944-47. Circa 43 later gelatin silver prints. Most 6,5 x 9 cm and 9 x 6,5 cm. Mounted to album pages (some wear) with typed text labels, bound in contemporary paper album (18 x 24 cm) with chord binding upper left corner.

Each image has a typed paper caption label describing the scene. These photographs, which were printed later, were likely compiled for several prisoners of war. The photos give a good impression of the living conditions in a Soviet prison camp. They are probably exemplary for many other similar camps. According to the previous owner, the photographs were taken secretly in the camp with a Minox which had been smuggled in. – Most photos in good to very good condition.

Photo agencies: Associated Press and Scherl Bilderdienst. Berlin after first bombing raids WWII. 1940. 19 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver press prints. Each circa 18 x 13 cm. Each with agency stamp and typed German press text label affixed to the verso.

Photo agencies: Associated Press, Keystone, Wide World Photos and others. London during the Blitz. 1940-41. 32 vintage mostly ferrotyped gelatin silver press prints. Each circa 18 x 13 cm. Most with agency stamp and typed German/English press text label affixed to the verso.

Photo agency: Keystone. Coventry after bombing raids WWII. Nov. 17, 1940. 4 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver press prints. Each circa 12 x 17,5 cm. Each with agency stamp and typed English press text label affixed to the verso.

Photo agencies: Associated Press and Keystone. Winston Churchill visiting various military exercises during WWII. 1940-41. 11 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver press prints. Each circa 18 x 13 cm. Each with agency stamp and typed German/English press text label affixed to the verso.