An original World War II German Kriegsmarine portrait photograph depicting an enlisted sailor wearing the traditional “Kriegsmarine” tally cap.
This well-composed studio portrait shows a Kriegsmarine sailor in his naval uniform with the Kriegsmarine cap tally prominently displayed beneath the national eagle and cockade. The clean composition and sharp facial detail make this an attractive example of a wartime naval portrait.
The reverse bears the printed studio stamp of Foto Studio’s Frans van Leeuwen of ‘s-Gravenhage (The Hague), Netherlands, indicating the photograph was professionally produced during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
Condition
Good original condition with age toning and scattered staining to the reverse. Studio imprint remains partially visible.
Specifications
Period: Third Reich (1933–1945)
Country: Germany
Branch: Kriegsmarine
Type: Original Period Photograph
Subject: Kriegsmarine Sailor Portrait
Material: Photographic Paper
Dimensions: 9 × 14 cm
Photographer: Foto Studio’s Frans van Leeuwen
Location: ‘s-Gravenhage (The Hague), Netherlands
Reverse: Studio imprint
Originality: Original period photograph
Historical Note
Following the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940, numerous German servicemen stationed throughout the country had formal portraits taken at local civilian photography studios. Period studio photographs bearing identifiable Dutch photographer imprints are desirable historical souvenirs documenting the presence of the Kriegsmarine in occupied Western Europe.
