Photo Collections

PTO026PTO026

Collection of small snapshots from the Abyssinian War. Local goat market, nice photos of Abyssinian militia, Abyssinian nobles meeting with Italians, fantasia, Mussolini monument. No description. 41 photos. M

Price: $380.00

PTO033PTO033

Two photos of Italian Carabinieri in Abyssinia, during a hunting trip. Ascaris in attendance. There was an Eritrean version of Caribinieri called ‘’Zaptie’’ These detachments participated in the 1936 Abyssinian War and the East Africa Campaign of WW2. In 1941 in Somalia and Ethiopia 2,186 Zaptìe (plus 500 recruits under training) formed part of the Carabinieri. They were organized in a battalion commanded by Major Alfredo Serranti that defended Culqualber (Ethiopia) for three months until this military unit was destroyed by the Allies. In this battle, Muntaz (corporal) Unatu Endisciau of the LXXII Zaptie (I° Gruppo Carabinieri) Battalion was the only "soldier of color" to be awarded the Italian Gold Medal of Military Valor. After WWII a former member of the Zaptìe corps, Siad Barre, became President of Somalia from 1969 to 1991. No description. M

Price: $60.00

PTO042PTO042

A nice collection of 61 photo snaps, mostly of Ethiopians in local settings, some military. Good photo selection of the obelisk at Axum before it was looted and shipped to Rome as a war trophy in 1937 (despite a 1947 UN agreement to return the obelisk it was not returned until 2004-2005 because the runway at Axum airport was insufficient and the original exit route through Massuwa was not possible because of the tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia). Good for studying different Abyssinian types. No descriptions. M

Price: $590.00

PTO055

Collection of 4 photographic postcards on Axum. Ed. E Fot. Gaslini – Asmara. 2,5,11,13  ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

Price: $80.00

PTO063PTO063

Near complete (66/70) set of all 7 series of photographic postcards (66/70) entitled Guerra Italo-Etiopica., Pro Monumento – Ricordo Alle Glorie ed AI Caduti Dellla 2nd Divisione Eritrea. This entire series is dedicated to the 2nd Eritrean (Ascari) Division, under the command of General Achile Veccariso. Each series contains 10 cards and the series tracks the war on the Northern Front from the beginning to the capturing of Dessie and the battles in between (Macalle, Passo Doghea, Tembien, Amba Tzellere, 2nd battle of Tembien, Mai Ceu and Dessie). Each card is described on back. A lot of topographical shots as well as war casualties, Italian and Ascari images. Six of the seven covers are present. A good visual reference and an excellent source of research for anyone studying the Eritrean Corps.  ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

Price: $1320.00

APH 128APH 128

Collection of 13 photos from a soldier in Axum in 1935 and early 1936. On October 15, 1935, De Bono's forces advanced from Adua for a bloodless occupation of the holy capital of Axum. General de Bono entered the city riding triumphantly on a white horse. However, the invading Italians he commanded looted the Obelisk of Axum. All described on back.  ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

Price: $120.00

APH 123APH 123

Four photographs from the office of the Governor of Eritrea (with original envelope) of a lumber mill in Eritrea, c1925. Descriptions written on back. M

Price: $150.00

APH 111APH 111

Photo album belonging to an Italian soldier in Abyssinia in 1937-1939, stationed in Hadama, in Central Ethiopia. Nice photos of earlier 1930 visit to Massua, ascari troops from different battalions, military camp and movements at Tashi-Ho, fascist celebrations in Massua, much on military in interior of the country, rare shot of senior Italian officers in parley with a local Abyssinian nobleman, local villages, Somali dubats, Harar cemetery with locals, military at Giggiga, Asmara festival of Mascal, Fiambiro, Enda Jesus, very rare photos of Duca D’Aosta. In Fiambire in August 1937 hunting down the rebel Alamaio. Album ends with shots of reunited family, both before and after war. Excellent album showing military in field after hostilities officially ceased, rare shots of Ascaris from different battalions, dubats and rare photos of important personalities. Lastly, a campaign to hunt down an Abyssinian rebel. 137 photos in all. M SOLD

Price: $820.00

APH104APH104

Photo collection belonging to an Italian soldier named Nino de Meo, taken in 1937. Asmara, Lake Ascianghi, Dessie, Haik, Ualdia, Quoram are shown. Funeral activities on the outskirts of Dessie, large gatherings of Abyssinians, a number of villages are shown, market scenes, several photos of public hanging gallows in Piazza Impero, a number of photos of Menelick II roadworks, French consulate, and more. Many topo shots with good mix of local ethnic. Not much Italian military. It is a large collection, comprising 178 photos, most of which contain descriptions on back. SOLD

Price: $1200.00

APH 090APH 090

An interesting collection of 30 photos from early Eritrea, dated between 1900 to 1914. Shots of road construction by hand, Colonial battalions (Note: the first Eritrean battalion was raised in 1889), rare shot of Ramadan festival in Saganeiti in 1907, shots of Saganeiti showing European and native dwellings together, Eritrean and Italian troops seemingly picnicing at Mai Seran in 1905 but there is clear segregation between the two groups, Coptic clergy at Sabderat, Italian fort at Adi Caie, two muslim Eritrean Ascaris mentioned by full name, church art in Digsa, other interesting photos. All photos are described and in most cases dated, on reverse. Some quite faded due to age. M

Price: $450.00