Los 4298

World War II
Views of destroyed Essen after bombing during WWII

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Fotografie des 19. – 21. Jahrhunderts (Katalog nur online verfügbar)
Auktionsdatum 4.12.2024

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