World War II photograph collection
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Abstract
The World War II Photograph Collection includes promotional material from the United States War Department, the vast majority from the U.S. Navy.
Arrangement
The collection is organized in the following series:
Series I: United States Army Photographs (1941-1945)
Series II: United States Coast Guard Photographs (1941-1945)
Series III: United States Navy Photographs (1921-1963)
Series IV: Other Photographs (1942-[1945])
Throughout the collection, named subjects are filed first, and then miscellaneous photos are filed by date. In some cases, miscellaneous photos may complement the subjects in named series or folders; in these cases "see also" references have been given in the container listing.
Scope and Content Note
The World War II Photograph Collection spans the period from 1941 to 1948 and includes promotional material from the United States War Department, the vast majority from the U.S. Navy. Photos are arranged alphabetically by creating agency and thereunder by subject. The collection includes approximately 2,000 black and white, 8 x 10" photographs and several smaller prints.
During processing, this material was removed from the Subject File. Members and equipment of the U. S. Navy, U.S. Army Air Force, and U. S. Coast Guard are shown. American pluck is a key feature of the photographs. Most photos have press information or narrative detail on the verso or on papers attached to the photo. The photos and their accompanying text give an idea of the breadth and message of the public relations campaign in America to encourage support for the war. Dates listed are the release date of the photos which, in the case of battles, was often several months after the event. In some instances groups of photos were released to commemorate important events. For example, a group of pictures showing the recovered ships sunk at Pearl Harbor was released in December 1942 for the one-year anniversary of the attack.
United States troops are seen in many different situations. Battle scenes mainly focus on bombing raids and burning ships in the Pacific arena. Italian POWS at a camp in New Jersey are shown. Both the German and Japanese surrenders are shown. Photos also include many U.S. ships involved in the war. The launching of battleships and aircraft carriers are well documented, as is the salvage of the cruise ship Normandie and its subsequent refitting as the U.S.S. Lafayette. Sailor life on board several ships, including the U.S.S. Missouri, is also shown. Some aerial views, once considered confidential, of ships in New York Harbor are contained in the U.S. Army Eastern Defense Command folders. Several New York area Naval Commandants are pictured, as well as many enlisted men at several different training facilities.
Women are displayed at work in many of these photos. Navy WAVES are shown readying themselves for battle as well as enjoying leisure activities. Photos of the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn highlight women working as machinists and welders.
Throughout the collection, named subjects are filed first, and then miscellaneous photos are filed by date. In some cases, miscellaneous photos may complement the subjects in named series or folders; in these cases "see also" references have been given in the container listing.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
People
Topics
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as World War II Photograph Collection, PR 76, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1957, 1959.
Separated Material
Two published volumes were removed from the collection and cataloged in the New-York Historical Society library. These volumes are "Patchogue family album: Christmas greetings to our boys and girls in the Armed Forces, who by their gallant efforts won a victorious peace" and the program from the New York Retirement Federation of Civil Service Employees' 31st Entertainment and Reception (with a picture of the U.S.S. Missouri on the cover.)
About this Guide
Processing Information
Processed by Jenny Gotwals, circa 2000.