African American soldier's Korean War photograph album, circa 1950-1953
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Summary
- Creator:
- John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture
- Abstract:
- Album contains 106 black-and-white and color photographs mounted in a black-leaf photograph album, bound in Japanese-style lacquered covers. The photographer may be an African American soldier named Tommy, who served in the U.S. Army's 511th Operation and Maintenance Service (OM SVC) Company during the Korean War. It is unclear whether the photographs are from Japan or from Korea. The images depict soldiers at work and enjoying recreational time. Many photographs depict both white and African American soldiers together. Other subjects include local women and children; women with servicemen; the countryside and Japanese-style buildings; and family members and others back home. Collection includes an early 20th century 10 1/2 x 14 inch portrait of four African American children. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture at Duke University.
- Extent:
- .5 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11430
Background
- Scope and content:
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Album contains 106 black-and-white and color photographs carefully arranged and mounted in a black-leaf photograph album, bound in Japanese-style lacquered covers inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Photographer may be an African American soldier named Tommy, who served in the U.S. Army's 511th Operation and Maintenance Service (OM SVC) Company during the Korean War. It is unclear whether the photographs are from Japan or Korea, as the latter was strongly influenced by Japanese culture until the end of World War II.
The images depict soldiers in and out of uniform and often engaged in recreational pursuits. Many photographs depict both white and African American soldiers together. Other subjects include local women and children; women with servicemen; the countryside and Japanese-style buildings; and family members and others back home. Included with the album is an early 20th century 10 1/2 x 14 inch portrait of four African American children.
Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture at Duke University.
- Acquisition information:
- The African American soldier's Korean War photograph album, circa 1950-1953 was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as purchase in 2001.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Rubenstein staff, 2001.
Accession represented in this collection guide: 2001-0187.
- Physical facet:
- 2 items
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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- Subjects:
- African American soldiers -- History -- 20th century
African American soldiers -- Korea
African American soldiers -- Japan
African American soldiers -- Photographs
African Americans -- Portraits
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Pictorial works
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Participation, African American
Race relations
Soldiers -- Recreation - Format:
- Black-and-white photographs
Color photographs
Photograph albums - Names:
- John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture
United States. Army -- African American troops
United States. Army -- African American troops -- History -- 20th century
United States. Army -- Military life - Places:
- Japan -- Pictorial works
Korea -- Pictorial works
Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
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The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
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- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], African American soldier's Korean War photograph album, circa 1950-1953, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.