Original WWII German Wehrmacht Soldier Photo Grouping 25 Photos + Developing Packet – Steel Helmets, Leather Greatcoats, Officers & Medals

Excellent original WWII German Wehrmacht photograph grouping consisting of 25 period photographs together with their original Photo Küllenberg, Essen photographic processing packet/envelope. The photographs appear to have remained together as the personal group of the same German soldier, who can be followed through numerous individual portraits, barracks scenes, outings, social gatherings, and group photographs.

This is a particularly attractive grouping because it is not simply a collection of unrelated military photographs. Several images clearly show the same young soldier repeatedly, giving the lot the character of a surviving personal wartime photographic archive.

The original processing packet is marked “PHOTO KÜLLENBERG ESSEN” and carries the period photographic shop information, order number 14175, processing tables for prints and enlargements, and handwritten customer/order notations. The reverse/interior contains the numbered processing chart for photographs 1–47. The packet itself shows considerable age and handling, including folds, edge wear, small tears and discoloration, but its survival with the photographs adds excellent provenance and display value.

Detailed Photograph Breakdown:

1. Two Wehrmacht soldiers working at a desk – Excellent indoor barracks/quarters photograph showing two uniformed men surrounded by paperwork and books. Their collar insignia, shoulder straps and breast eagles are clearly visible.
2. Outdoor portrait of the soldier in visor cap – Sharp waist-length image showing the soldier wearing his Wehrmacht service uniform and peaked visor cap. A particularly good uniform study.
3. Soldier seated at his barracks desk – Interior photograph with the soldier seated beside a desk lamp, books, personal effects and military quarters furnishings.
4. Large barracks social photograph – Several Wehrmacht soldiers gathered together in a room, smiling and drinking. A handmade “BAR” sign is visible behind the men.
5. Harbor photograph with Third Reich flag – Waterfront scene showing civilians or personnel near a ship, with a clearly visible period German flag flying in the background. Interesting maritime/home-front image.
6. Flooded waterfront or river promenade – Soldier standing beside an iron railing overlooking extensively flooded ground/water. Buildings and landscape visible beyond.
7. Empty military quarters / soldier’s room – Detailed interior image showing a writing desk, lamp, chair, books, bed and personal possessions. Excellent view of everyday military accommodation.
8. Soldier beside flooded waterfront structure – Uniformed man standing near a stone balustrade with substantial flooding visible behind him.
9. Excellent formal portrait in visor cap – Clear outdoor image of the soldier in full service uniform. The cap insignia, breast eagle, collar Litzen and shoulder straps are particularly well shown.
10. Bomb-damaged church or large masonry building – Dramatic wartime photograph showing the roof and upper structure destroyed, exposed steel framing, broken masonry and damaged Gothic-style windows.
11. Soldier standing beside high stone wall – Full-length portrait showing him wearing a long military greatcoat and visor cap.
12. Large formation/group portrait of Wehrmacht personnel – Approximately a dozen or more uniformed men gathered outdoors beside a brick building. Various ranks are represented, including NCOs and senior personnel.
13. Large drinking celebration photograph – Outstanding crowded interior image showing numerous Wehrmacht soldiers and NCOs raising glasses. Several men wear visible ribbon bars, decorations and badges, while one soldier in the background is wearing a steel helmet.
14. Second large celebration/group photograph – Similar scene showing a large number of uniformed men gathered closely together with drinks. Several decorated soldiers are prominently positioned in the front row, making this an excellent insignia and uniform study.
15. Civilian-period photograph of the soldier – The same young man appears outside a wooden building wearing civilian work clothing, likely giving an interesting glimpse of his life outside uniform.
16. Soldier seated between two women in a wooded park – Relaxed personal photograph showing the uniformed serviceman seated on a rustic bench with two female companions.
17. Full-length soldier in long greatcoat – Soldier photographed outdoors in a long military overcoat/greatcoat and visor cap, an attractive cold-weather uniform study.
18. Close-up head-and-shoulders portrait – Excellent clear portrait showing the soldier’s collar Litzen, shoulder strap and upper uniform details.
19. Indoor seated uniform portrait with bottle and glasses – The soldier is photographed at a table in uniform beside a bottle marked Likör and drinking glasses. Excellent informal barracks/social image.
20. Motorcycle / dispatch rider group wearing leather coats – One of the strongest photographs in the grouping. Several military men are gathered along a road wearing heavy leather motorcyclist/protective greatcoats. One man wears a steel helmet, while another has motorcycle goggles pushed up on his head.
21. Close-up motorcycle personnel photograph – Excellent companion photograph showing men wearing the same distinctive leather motorcyclist coats, with one holding a helmet. Strong detail of the specialized protective clothing.
22. Waterfront boat scene – Several men at the edge of a flooded river or harbor handling a small boat, with large structures and the opposite bank visible in the distance.
23. Second long-overcoat portrait beside stone wall – Another full-length image of the soldier outdoors in military outerwear.
24. Outdoor Wehrmacht group beside brick structure – Large group of uniformed men standing together. Excellent study of enlisted and NCO uniforms, boots, belts, collar insignia and shoulder straps.
25. Additional personal/barracks photograph from the soldier’s series – Completing the 25-photo archive and matching the group in period photographic paper, format and provenance.

Original Photo Processing Packet:

Also included is the original period Photo Küllenberg photographic issue/developing packet from Essen. The front is printed with German photographic processing terminology including sections for:

• Abzüge – prints
• Vergrößerungen – enlargements
• Film
• Reproduktion
• Retusche
• Diapositive
• Rahmen

The interior has numbered spaces running through 47 exposures/photographs, indicating that this packet originally accompanied a larger photographic order. Several of the photographs retain period pencil numbering and/or photographer-processing markings on their reverses. At least one has a substantial handwritten German notation on the back.

Highlights:

This is a very diverse personal military grouping containing Wehrmacht officers and enlisted men, visor caps, steel helmets, leather motorcycle greatcoats, long military overcoats, collar and shoulder insignia, breast eagles, medals, ribbon bars, decorated personnel, barracks interiors, drinking celebrations, wartime building destruction, flooding/waterfront scenes and personal photographs of the same soldier.

The two photographs of the men wearing leather protective greatcoats with steel helmet and motorcycle goggles are especially desirable, as are the large drinking/group photographs showing numerous decorated soldiers and excellent uniform detail.

The combination of the 25 original photographs, identifiable recurring soldier, and surviving period Essen photographic processing packet makes this far more interesting than a random assortment of loose wartime photos. It would make an excellent research or display grouping for a collector of German military photography, Wehrmacht uniforms, photographic history or WWII personal effects.

Condition: Original period photographs show normal age and handling, with some having deckled/scalloped edges, light surface wear, pencil notations and photographer/developing marks to the backs. The original paper photo packet is heavily age-toned with folds, creasing, edge wear and small tears. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

Guaranteed original WWII-period photographs unless otherwise stated. Items are sold exactly as shown.

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