Oblong Quarto (ca. 29.5 x 17.5 cm or 11 ½ x 7 in). 47 black stiff paper leaves (19 blank). 130 gelatin silver photographs, four larger ca. 17 x 12 cm (6 ¾ x 4 ¾ in) and 126 from ca. 13.5 x 8.5 cm (5 ¼ x 3 ¼ in) to 10 x 5 cm (4 x 2 in). 62 images captioned/numbered/signed in negative, two images with period ink captions on verso, several images with period manuscript captions on paper labels attached to mounts. Period green stamped cloth boards fastened with string; front cover with generic etched title “Photographs” and blind stamped borders; moire inner boards. Mild rubbing on extremities, minor staining on boards; mild rubbing and tears on mounts not affecting photos; a couple of photos mildly faded, ten images previously removed from album, but overall a good album of strong interesting photos.

A collection of original and studio photographs showing the Panama Canal Zone in the mid-1930s, likely compiled by a member of the 33rd Infantry Regiment stationed at Fort Clayton. Fort Clayton was a US Army base established in the 1920s to secure the Miraflores locks in the Panama Canal Zone. It closed in 1999 and is now a residential area.

Several photographs in the album bear the negative signature of J. Fisher. Fisher appears to have been a photographer associated with the US Forces in the Panama Canal Zone sometime during the interwar period (1918-1939).

The album opens with photographs showing naval ships passing through the Miraflores locks (including American, British, and French ships), the US fleet in Panama, and US Navy sailors exploring Colon and Panama City. One photo is captioned “President Roosevelt on the USS Houston.” Another shows George Dern (1872-1936), the US Secretary of War from 1933 to 1936, waving farewell to troops in the Canal Zone. One snapshot shows Campbell B. Hodges (1881-1944) disembarking a ship with a caption on verso reading “Col. Campbell Hodges coming home to command Fort Davis. He was on an inspection tour of the Phillipine [sic] Islands.” Hodges was a United States Army major general and Senior Military Aide to Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt from 1929 to 1933.

Much of the album shows Fort Clayton and associated activities, including those of the 16th Pack Train, of which the compiler was part. Several photographs show the mules of the pack train and their riders. Photographs of Fort Clayton include an aerial view of the facility, “Pacific Sector” reviews and maneuvers, and snapshots of the compiler and his friends. Some group portraits are also included, they show the Fort Clayton Boxing Squad, the 16th Pack Train (without the compiler), and the “Service Co.” of the 33rd Infantry Regiment posing in a canteen decorated and arranged for a Christmas dinner (complete with turkey and Christmas tree), among others.

Seven photographs show a parade hosted by the Panama Canal Department of the US Army. They include floats for Fort Davis and the Submarine Defence, the latter sporting banners reading “Panama Canal Department 1935 Champions” for both baseball and track and field.

Other photographs in the album show Panama. They include views of Panama City (Gorgas Hospital, street and aerial views), Colon (Colon Harbour, street views), the village of “Arrajan” (street view and church), the island of Taboga (children on a bridge, “Interior of the 2nd oldest church in Central America”), the Miraflores locks, the opening of the Madden Dam in December 1934, and Panamanian countryside.

Overall, an interesting collection of original and studio photographs showing American military activity in the Panama Canal Zone during the interwar period.