1934 USS Ranger CV-4 Shakedown Cruise Photo Log Album. Historically Significant
1934-36, Pre-WW2 Era USS Ranger CV-4 Shakedown Cruise Photo Log Album. The 14″ x 9″ photo album is clean with a soft, supple leathery maybe cowhide? Cover with a double-snap closure. I assume he was the photographer since the album was his. His provenance includes his Sellback Certificate, Crossing the Line Summons, and Shellback Cards. That’s the overall “package, ” so to speak. What’s within is pretty remarkable–and historically significant on several levels. First, it has appeal to pre-War USN enthusiasts for obvious reasons. There are photos pertaining to the filming aboard the Ranger. Third, it has a local significance to San Diego, in which several other locations were used from the filming. In particular, there are a number of photos of Balboa Park during the California Pacific International Exposition. That’s an overview; what follows is a rough index of the album’s contents. 1: News article covering the Wings over Honolulu filming. 2-4: Eleven 5″ x 4″ photos showing aspects of the filming on the flight deck of Ranger. 5-9: Twenty 4.5″ x 2.75″ photos of Balboa Park. 10-17: Twenty-nine period Postcards of the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937. 18: One postcard of the GGB and two original 2.75″ x 4.5″ photos pertaining to the bridge’s construction. 19-26: Fifteen 7″ x 5″ aerial photos of the Pacific Northwest including Ranger and Floatplane. 27-29: Twelve 5″ x 4″ ground-level photos of the Pacific Northwest. 30-33: Eight period Peruvian postcards & commemorative Ranger envelopes. 34-45: Forty-six period postcards from California and the Pacific Northwest. 46-47: Thirteen 4.5″ x 2.75″ personal photos. 48-52: Eighteen 5″ x 4″ Crossing the Line photos. 53: Thirteen-page Crossing the Line Memorandum-style Program. 54-69: Fifty-five more 5″ x 4″ Crossing the Line photos and two Shellback cards. 71: Crossing the Line Summons. 73: 1936 Crossing the Line Booklet (20 pages). 74-75: One 8″ x 10″ and one 9.75 x 6 USS Ranger photos. 76: One 7″ x 5″ USS Ranger photo. Unfortunately, the listing is limited to 24 photos, so there’s so much more you’ll see when you receive it. It’s pretty hard to part with this gem, but as I’ve grown older, I’m realizing I can’t take it all with me, so it’s time for another collector to enjoy it–hopefully as much as I have. Truly a genuine historical and, in some ways, a cultural artifact! Please examine the listing pictures for content/condition specifics, and feel free to send along any questions you may have. From a smoking-free home.