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This Lot is from the the Private Collection ofAudie D. (Dinsmore) Ethridge.(1893-1970)
He served in the WWI Spruce Products Division or S. P. D. as it would be called, from January 22nd, 1918 to February 15th, 1919, Date of Discharge. Assigned to the 448th Aero Squadron at the Vancouver, WA Barracks, was re-designated as the 54th Spruce Squadron and transferred to Raymond, WA. From there, his Camp (1-A) was located in the Grays Harbor District North and East of Raymond, WA.
There are 71 pieces in this collection of photos, RPPC postcards and portraits, consisting likely a mixture of of Salt, Albumen andPlatinum/ Palladium prints from what I can tell. From the variety of paper stock, sizes, brightness and finish, there were probably several photographers moving through these camps, and an envelope advertising photography services was found in the box containing the collection. It's included in the sale. I don't know what prints would have been delivered in it, as it was empty. Knowing the boxes containing the collection were stored away from light since around 1950 or longer, and the type prints they are, most had very good archival qualities and still very clear and sharp. A printed pamphlet titled "Activities of the U.S Spruce Production Division in the Great World War" is included in the collection. It's and accordion folded piece that's in a few pieces, due to separation at the folds and placed together in the order I think may be close to correct. 3 Postcards attached to album paper are litho prints, all with Raymond, WA in the title. The rest attached are RPPC postcards.
The breakdown of photos/postcards are:2 3/4" x 4 1/4" - 162 3/4" x 4 1/2" - 63 1/4" x 5 3/4" - 53 1/2" x 5 3/4" - 24Postcards - 14 (11 RPPC)6 1/2" x 8 1/2" - 1 (Image) 10" x 12" Overall Mounted3 5/8" x 9 1/4" - 1 (Image) 6/1/8" x 5 5/8" Folded/Closed PortraitSmall Misc. - 4A few of the postcards are attached to old family album pages and didn't want to remove if at all possible, although a couple were backed up by family photo's and needed to be separated. They should be visible in photos provided. Supplied provenance are scans of his enlistment papers, Dog Tag and Pendant obtained in Seattle, WA.
The history of the Spruce Products Division in WWI is an amazing story of about 30,000 men from all corners of the country who served alongside civilian loggers up and down the North Pacific Coast, supplying enough Sitka Spruce to build enough air frames to overwhelm the German air force and help bring an end to the Great War. This collection gives more of a personal look into the everyday lives of the soldier/loggers and operations of the S.P.D. Top Left photo in first spread appears to be a candid shot of Gen. Bryce P. Disque arriving at perhaps the cut-off plant in Vancouver, although can't tell the location for sure. Camp Flag Pole photo with soldier atop and the white opaqued image of wing/propeller is one of my personal favorites.
This collection is of soldier pictured in the single portrait photo on title page and in several of the photos throughout. Some of the photos feature written notes on what activity was going on, names and addresses of fellow soldiers, etc.Collections of this wartime operation are rarely seen, especially of this size, and of a particular camp/squadron.
There will be a few more items listed sometime in the future, including some yard long panoramic prints.Any requests for additional information on the collection, just message through and I'll respond ASAP.
Shipping will be in rigid weatherproof box with contents grouped in some individual packs where necessary.Thank You!
