WWI African American Soldiers of the 92nd and 93rd Division Stationed in France, with Identified Soldier from Bronzeville, Chicago

Buffalo Soldiers in World War I.

Published by Publication Date: 1917

[African American] [World War I] [Bronzeville, Chicago] [France] World War I studio portraits of African American U.S. soldiers, created circa 1917 to 1919, document Black military service during a period when more than 350,000 African American men entered the United States Army in segregated units during the First World War. Many of these soldiers served in labor battalions and combat formations including the 92nd and 93rd Divisions. The images also preserve the personal identities and geographic ties of the soldiers who served, including France, and one identified serviceman connected to Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, one of the most significant African American urban communities of the early twentieth century. Archive of five portraits of African American soldiers in United States Army uniform, produced circa 1917-1919 in American and French studios. The group includes three real photo postcards and two larger studio portraits mounted on cardstock. Measurements range between 3.5" x 4.5" to 9" x 6". One postcard bears a handwritten inscription on the verso reading "Napoleon Young / 2927 Wabash Ave / Chicago Ill." identifying a Chicago resident from the historically Black community of Bronzeville. One mounted portrait bears the studio mark Ateliers de Photographie d'Art J. Sereni, a French photographic studio with locations in Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Cognac, and another postcard's text in French "Carte Postale", confirming that at least two of the soldiers were photographed while stationed in France. Another mounted portrait includes a decorative fleur-de-lis motif in the studio mount design. The photographs depict soldiers standing at attention, seated with campaign hat in hand, or shown in bust-length portrait within an oval mount. Uniform details visible in the images include the standard four-pocket wool service tunic, breeches, and wrapped puttees worn by U.S. Army enlisted men during the First World War. African American soldiers frequently commissioned studio portraits before deployment, during overseas service, or following return home. Such photographs circulated among family members and communities and often appeared in African American newspapers documenting wartime service. During World War I many Black combat units, including the 369th Infantry Regiment, served under French command, and American soldiers were commonly photographed in French studios while stationed abroad. Together these photographs document the personal visual record created by Black soldiers asserting military identity and civic participation during the First World War. Edge wear, and scattered staining to mounts; one postcard with album page remnants adhered en verso; some creasing to one post card and a one inch tear to left of mount of smaller studio portrait, otherwise images remain clear and legible with strong structural integrity. Overall good condition. A cohesive visual record of African American soldiers during World War I with identified Chicago provenance and documented photographic production in France. Seller Inventory # 22173

Bibliographic Details

Title: WWI African American Soldiers of the 92nd ...
Publication Date: 1917