EDITION OF 50
JONES, Ed and Timothy Prus (eds).
Nein, Onkel. Snapshots from Another Front 1938-1945.
[London]: Archive of Modern Conflict, 2007.
4to (230 × 249 mm), pp.226, [10]. 39 colour and 308 black-and-white photographs. Light blue endpapers. Burgundy imitation crocodile skin-covered boards, spine and upper side lettered in white. Burgundy imitation crocodile skin-covered board slipcase. Original gelatin silver print affixed to front free endpaper and titled 'Onkel' in black ink. Numbered in black ink to limitation page. Fine.
First edition, one of 50 copies of the special edition, each issued with an original photograph that was shortlisted for inclusion but did not make the final book. Nein, Onkel: Snapshots From Another Front 1938–1945 is a photographic survey of a different, rarely glimpsed side of life in the Nazi Third Reich. It contains reproductions of 347 previously unpublished snapshots – some of them in colour – portraying the fun-loving, sexually incongruous and work-shy elements of the German military machine, and challenging the accepted view of evil men in jackboots. Selected from the extensive collections at the Archive of Modern Conflict, these highly personal photographs come from private albums compiled by ordinary soldiers caught up in the conflagration of World War II. They record not the bloody battles, but the fun snatched by those who would rather be enjoying 40 winks, a spot of country dancing or a roll in the hay than fighting.
Martin Parr's Best Books of the Decade pp.46-7, 87
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