Oblong Folio album (ca. 22,7x34,7 cm). 18 card stock leaves. With 65 mounted original gelatin silver photographs, with the larger ones ca. 16,5x21,9 cm (6 ½ x 8 ½ in) and the rest from ca. 11,7x15,9 cm (4 ½ x 6 in) to ca. 10,5x16 cm (4x6 ¼ in). Eight photos with German captions in negatives. Period full-cloth album with red frame and the generic title on the front board. Stains on the binding, spine with tears, the first photo with a tiny fragment at the upper part missing, but overall a very good album with strong, interesting photos.  

Historically important collection of lively vernacular photographs, documenting Imperial troops in Namibia during the German colonial rule in the early 1900s.

According to the captions, the photographer was “R. Wywias,” active in German South West Africa in the early 20th century. The captions note the photographer’s name, the location where the photo was taken, and the warning “Nahdruk-Verboten” [i.e. Reprint Prohibited]. While no biographical information is available on the photographer, our internet research has identified several postcards bearing his name.

The collection features sixty-five vibrant views of Namibia, with most photos likely showing the capital, Windhoek. About ten early close-up photographs depict colonial military constructions, including the city’s oldest fort, the Alte Feste, German officers' quarters, military station, police bureau, and the governorate house. Over twelve well-executed group photos show a military band posing with bass instruments, German officer on horseback flanked by two men (one African) on foot, and soldiers in various settings (in a military hospital, mountainous terrain, near ox carts, barracks, buildings, etc). One interesting scene likely shows a local event with wooden structures bearing the German Empire’s coat of arms and people gathered around the camps. There are also eight candid photos of native Namibians, some dressed and others half-naked, posing for photographs. The rest of the photos mostly show general views of the city, excellent early landscapes, local cemetery & park, wild animals, etc.

The album also includes at least one photo of Okahandja, documenting the now-demolished military fort Feste Okahandja.

Overall, historically important collection of photographs, showing the life of Imperial troops in Namibia during the German colonial rule.