451
●
(MILITARY—WORLD WAR I.) AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
(AEF).
Outdoor group photograph of 36 soldiers in a special French unit.
Silver
print 4-2/2 x 6
3
⁄
4
inches, in the French photographer’s card mount; overall dimensions 8
1
⁄
4
x
10
5
⁄
8
inches. (WGC)
Cosne, Nievre: L. Biaud, circa 1919
[800/1,200]
An integrated group of soldiers. There are three lieutenants in the foreground, the shoulder
patches on their tunics unidentifiable. There are five motorcycles with five African Americans in
the foreground as well. Soldiers in the rear are seated on the side of a truck. NB: Black soldiers
in the AEF in France were under French command and did not serve with American soldiers.
These motorcycle troops are part of a special unit.
452
●
(MILITARY—WORLD WAR I.)
Brass eagle overcoat ”Sweetheart” button.
one inch in diameter, with American Eagle; snaps open as a locket with space for two small
circular photographs. (WGC)
Np, circa 1918
[300/400]
A RARE RELIC OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
,
buttons such as these were worn by soldiers who
were otherwise forbidden to wear any “non-regulation” items of clothing or accessories. This
particular button is all the more unusual in that it has a photo of a black soldier and what
appears to be a white or very light skinned woman.
452
