Pair of original January 1940 photographs showing the same U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lieutenant, including an especially interesting image posed beside an early Harley-Davidson military motorcycle.

The horizontal photograph is handwritten on the reverse:

“Not a bad picture hay!?”

1/20/40

The second photograph, a sharply focused portrait of the officer crouching in uniform, is handwritten:

“Yap! its me!”

Both photographs carry period VELOX paper markings on the reverse.

The January 20, 1940 date is particularly significant. This predates Pearl Harbor and American entry into World War II and falls at the very beginning of the U.S. Army’s adoption of the Harley-Davidson WLA. Harley-Davidson had submitted military WL/WLA prototypes for Army testing in 1939, with the WLA entering limited production in 1940.

The motorcycle visible behind the officer appears consistent with the early Harley-Davidson WL/WLA family and is equipped with a large military-style windshield. Because portions of the motorcycle are obscured by the officer and windshield, the exact WL/WLA submodel is not stated as definitive.

The officer is identifiable as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the distinctive triple-turreted castle branch insignia worn below the “U.S.” collar devices. A single lieutenant bar is visible on the shoulder straps. Because the photographs are black-and-white and the distinction between First Lieutenant silver and Second Lieutenant gold cannot be determined reliably from the image alone, the exact lieutenant grade is intentionally left unspecified.

Approximately:

• Horizontal photograph: 4 3/8 x 2 3/4 inches

• Vertical photograph: 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches

Original period photographs, not reproductions. Age-related handling wear, light surface marks and some loss of contrast are present, particularly in the motorcycle photograph. Please examine all photographs for exact condition.

An unusually early dated crossover group for collectors of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers history, pre-Pearl Harbor militaria, military motorcycles, Harley-Davidson WL/WLA history and original American military photography.

Unit of Sale: Lot of 2

Type: Photograph

Original/Licensed Reprint: Original

Year of Production: 1940

Date: January 20, 1940

Image Color: Black & White

Number of Photographs: 2

Subject: U.S. Army Officer

Military Branch: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Rank: Lieutenant

Motorcycle: Harley-Davidson WL/WLA Family

Theme: Military

Secondary Theme: Motorcycles / Transportation

Conflict: World War II Era (1939-1945)

Historical Period: Pre-Pearl Harbor / Pre-U.S. Entry WWII

Time Period Manufactured: 1925-1949

Country of Origin: United States

Vintage: Yes

Framing: Unframed

Features: Handwritten Captions

Photo Paper: Velox

Condition: Original vintage photographs with age and handling wear