Krupp Reparaturwerk Paris 1941 [28 + 9 ORIGINAL SILVER GELATIN PRINTS]
Paris: Labophot, 1941. First edition. Hardcover. Folio (12 3/4 x 10"). [27] leaves (Photographs). Original spiral-bound paper covered boards, with a 4 x 4" original photograph of a German soldier in front of the Krupp Reparaturwerk sign mounted on front cover.
Scarce photo-book containing 28 original silver gelatin prints on Kodak paper (including front cover) showing exterior and interior views of the "Krupp Reparaturwerk" (Krupp repair workshop) in Nazi-occupied Paris.
The book was published to "commemorate" the first five months of the Krupp Reparaturwerk's existence (11/1/1940-3/17/1941) and to highlight the progress made during that time.
The first photograph shows a typed document signed by the German director of the workshop (unidentified), who introduces the reader to the history and development of the company:
"Opened on 11/1/1940 as a second repair workshop in the occupied territories, the plant works exclusively for the German Wehrmacht. Occupying a surface of 161,458.66 sq ft, it is able to accomodate over 200 vehicles of any size. The number of people employed in the workshop rose steadily throughout the first five months (23 Germans, and 130 foreigners* for a total of 153 employees on 11/1/1940 to 26 Germans, and 339 foreigners for a total of 365 employees on 3/17/1941). Despite the fact that the repair facility had to be fully equipped, 409 trucks have been repaired so far."
The document ends with the German director thanking two Wehrmacht units which helped setting up the repair workshop (namely, the Heeres-Kraftfahr-Bezirks 34, and the Heeres-Kraftfahr-Parks 503), and commits himself and his plant to carry out the war tasks until the "victorious end of the struggle imposed upon us."
The following 26 photographs show 8 exterior views, and 18 interior views of the facility. The interior views depict mostly factory workers in various departments, as well as various vehicles of the Wehrmacht being repaired. It is interesting to note that the workers are not smiling and avoid looking at the camera by keeping their heads down.
Each of the 27 silver gelatin prints bound in the book measures 11 1/4 x 8 3/4", is numbered, stamped "Labophot - Paris," and has the Kodak imprint on verso.
Covers age-toned along edges. Minor water-staining at lower margin of front cover. Text in German. Binding in overall good+, photographs in fine condition.
[WITH]
Laid in are nine other silver gelatin prints of the same repair facility (3 outside views, and 6 interior views) which the publisher decided not to include in the book.
Eight of the nine photographs are hole punched, have the Kodak imprint on verso, and measure 11 1/4 x 8 7/8" (a smaller one measuring 7 x 9 1/4" is a reduced view of one of the eight larger prints).
Original silver gelatin prints in fine condition. vg. Item #41900
* The 'foreigners' mentioned in the document are most probably French.
Price: $3,750.00