ITEM SPECIFICS:

• Type: Photo Album

• Branch of Service: U.S. Army

• Unit: 81st Field Artillery

• Time Period: Post-WWI, 1921

• Location: Camp Knox, Kentucky

• Country of Manufacture: United States

• Original/Reproduction: Original

DESCRIPTION:

Original military photo album from a soldier of the 81st Field Artillery (81 F.A.), documenting life at Camp Knox, Kentucky in 1921. Embossed brown leather cover with decorative wisteria design, cord binding, and “Photographs” label plate. Contains 100+ original silver gelatin photographs mounted on black pages with corner holders.

This is not a generic snapshot album. Multiple photos carry handwritten captions identifying specific events, officers, and locations — making this a named, dated primary source document of early American peacetime Army life.

Documented Events with Handwritten Captions:

• “81 F.A. Farewell to Gen. Lassiter, Camp Knox KY, Aug. 29, ’21” — multiple photos

• “81 F.A. Farewell to Maj. Sands, Camp Knox, Sept. 9, ’21”

• “Wreck of Plane, 3-7-1921, Camp Knox KY” — aircraft wreckage with tail number visible, soldiers observing

• “Col. A.L. Sands at Churchill Downs” — named officer photographed at the historic Louisville racetrack

Content Highlights:

• Artillery drill sequences — soldiers in doughboy helmets manning, positioning, and operating wheeled field guns

• Horse-drawn artillery batteries maneuvering at full gallop across open fields

• Mounted cavalry parade through a downtown city street, crowds lining the sidewalks

• Military band with sousaphones in formation

• Full dress review and farewell ceremonies

• Soldiers posing on field cannons with camp tents in background

• Motorcycle with sidecar at camp

• Boxing and sparring sequences

• Swimming and off-duty camp life

• Hand-colored cavalry parade photograph

• Two antique tintypes mounted in album

• Formal officer portrait in dress uniform with cross medal

• Civilian family photos mixed throughout

• Two U.S. Navy sailors in full uniform

• Iowa State Capitol visible in background of one civilian photo

Album Condition:

Embossed leather cover shows honest age wear. Photos range from crisp and sharp to minor fading on some. Corner mounts intact. Binding holds. No photos appear missing from mounts.

Ideal for military historians, Fort Knox / Camp Knox researchers, Field Artillery collectors, or genealogists.

SEO KEYWORDS:

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