This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[PHOTOGRAPHY]. A 1930s U.S. Navy Photo Album Scrapbook, “In Memory of My China Cruise.” 1930s. Large leather-bound photo album scrapbook made by a U.S. Marine with over 500 black and white photographs, mostly personal and some from commercial studios, recording the active service of the USS Houston (CA-30), Asiatic Fleet from 1931-1933. Photos are labeled and cheekily-captioned; well mounted; some hand colored; ranging in size from 9 x 10” to 3 ½ x 2 ½”. Front cover features the US Navy symbol, dragons, and pagodas. Photographs were taken primarily in China, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines, with some from the West Bank, Egypt, France, and Italy. Photographs depict Marines engaged in sightseeing, recreation on and off board, target practice, posing with locals. Additional photos include: German guns at Tsingtao; scenes of destruction of the Commercial Press Library (AKA the Oriental Library) in China immediately following the Sino-Japanese Hostilities in 1932; scenic views of the Yangtze River, Mt. Hiei, the Temple of Heaven, Sun Yat Sen’s Tomb, as well as views from the top of the pyramids in Giza; the Eiffel Tower; street views of Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kobe; and more. Ships pictured include: USS Tutuila, USS Arizona in Miraflores Locks, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee, USS Raleigh, USS Isabel, and USS Monocacy, among others. 11 x 15”. Shelf word with some dust accumulation. Front cover detached; a few loose photos. Photographs are in very good condition.In 1931, the Houston became flagship of the Asiatic Fleet and sailed for the Asiatic Station. Later that year she steamed 600 miles up the Yangtze River to assist in rescue work during a devastating flood in the Yangtze River Valley. When Japan acted aggressively against Shanghai in 1932, the Houston was called upon to deliver Marines to China to help stabilize the situation. After visiting the southern Philippines and Japan, the Houston left the Asiatic in 1933 to join the Scouting Force, based in Long Beach, California.