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Up for sale is an incredible, intact original 1950s U.S. Navy photographic archive focusing heavily on the Destroyer Escort USS Coolbaugh (DE-217), which served as a vital training vessel for the Fleet Sonar School in Key West, Florida during the Cold War.
This unique collection represents a "production lot" used by ship photographers to lay out an official cruise book or command history report. Many individual prints feature original handwritten layout alphanumeric coordinates on the reverse (such as "15 C" and "18 D").
This comprehensive 43-piece archive includes:
• 2 Large Glossy Ship Portraits (9.5" x 7.5"): Showcasing beautiful profile views of the USS Coolbaugh at sea, including a highly rare, dramatic night-illuminated shot with deck reflections. (Note: These large prints have a heavy storage curl but have no major creases and will flatten beautifully under weight or inside a frame).
• 1 Original Large-Format Film Negative (3.5" x 4.5"): Capturing a crisp, clear pier-side portrait of a Cold War-era U.S. Navy surface combatant. Ideal for scanning or reproduction.
• 9 Formal Officer Portraits (3.5" x 4.5"): Featuring high-contrast, official studio and ceremonial portraits of the ship's Captains, Commanders, and senior command staff.
• 3 Uncut Photo-Lab Proof Strips (3 photos per strip): Capturing candid deck activities, division group layouts, and a sailor playing guitar on deck.
• 5 Uncut Photo-Lab Proof Strips (2 photos per strip): Detailing active tactical drills, including sailors in vintage gas masks operating sound-powered phones, lookouts, and celestial navigation.
• 16 Individual Candid Snapshots: Showcasing a complete look at daily life at sea—crewmen playing cards on the mess deck, line handling, bridge watches, and galley cooking.
This is a remarkable, cohesive lot perfect for naval historians, militaria collectors, or vernacular photo archivists looking for a deep dive into 1950s naval service.
Condition: Good vintage condition. Prints show excellent black-and-white contrast typical of original period photo chemistry. Will be shipped flat and securely packed between heavy cardboard layers to prevent bending.
