Vaterkampf, E., Fedorov, P., Chekmezov, P. Historically Significant Collection of Thirty-One Original Photos Taken by Soviet Polar Researchers during the Massive Reorganization of the Dikson Island Polar Station in 1933–1934, Documenting the Outpost Infrastructure Before and After its Transformation, the Crew's Daily Operations (Climbing a Navigational Beacon, Measuring Upper-Atmosphere Wind Speed and Direction, etc.), Celebrations of Soviet Holidays, the USSR N-2 Flying Boat in Dikson Bay, and the Arrival of the Hydrographic Vessel Tsirkul. 1933–1934.

31 loose original gelatin silver photographs from ca. 8x11 cm (3 x 4 ½ in) to 4,7x9,6 cm (1 ¾ x 3 ¾ in). Eight photos with period pencil captions (in Russian) on verso. Mild silvering, but overall a very good collection with strong, interesting photos. Historically important collection of thirty-one gelatin silver photographs, mostly taken at the Dikson Island Polar Station (est. 1915) by Soviet polar researchers during the 1933–1934 wintering. At the time, the station was undergoing rapid modernization following its 1933 transfer to the Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route (Glavsevmorput). This shift transformed the modest five-person post into a strategic geophysical observatory. Under station chief Mikhailov, the permanent wintering team expanded to seventeen personnel, including twelve specialized researchers who ran newly established departments for meteorology, aerology, geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, hydrology, and a weather bureau. Among them were polar scientists A. Levykin, I. Meynartovich, V. Nazarov, S. Ponomarev, Kirpichnikov, and magnetologist E. Vaterkampf, who personally captured several of these images. Ultimately, the foundational data collected during this critical wintering season laid the groundwork for constructing the Arctic's most powerful radio center (1935–1936), cementing Dikson Island as the primary navigational hub for the Western Arctic. The collection contains 31 photographs taken by different members of the 1933–1934 wintering crew, including P. Fedorov, P. Chekmezov, and E. Vaterkampf. The latter was a prominent Soviet polar explorer, magnetologist, and a vital member of the observatory's inaugural scientific team. Two early photos show the station grounds in the summer and winter of 1932, just before its major transformation. At least three excellent general views of Dickson Island capture the start of the 1933 season. One of the images was apparently taken by a crew member from the USSR N-2 flying boat as it arrived to conduct ice reconnaissance and land the expanded wintering crew. About twenty lively vernacular photographs show the station's expanded wooden infrastructure with upgraded communication network (more complex antenna arrays, cross-beams, etc.) and the researchers' daily operations. These include images of the crew in parkas traveling by dog sled, climbing a navigational beacon, and using weather balloons and optical theodolites. Especially interesting are two candid indoor scenes of celebrations for the 16th anniversary of the October Revolution and the International Workers Day. The photos show the personnel (including at least five women) gathered around a table in a room decorated with Soviet posters and banners. Finally, three photographs mark the end of the year-long watch, documenting the Lena Strait and the arrival of the Tsirkul, the first ship to break through the ice, bring fresh meteorologists, and open the 1934 navigation season. Overall, historically important collection of original gelatin silver photographs mostly taken at the Dikson Island Polar Station (est. 1915) during the 1933–1934 wintering season.…