Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Prewar and Wartime Private Photo Album from a Crew Member of the Destroyer Paul Jacobi

(Zerstörer Paul Jacobi Fotoalbum). An interesting private photo album from a crew member of the Type 1934A Destroyer Paul Jacobi, constructed of a card stock binding with a faux dark blue leather exterior liner, the spine perforated with four holes reinforced with magnetic metal grommets retaining a drawstring which partially maintain’s the album’s structure, the cover bearing a raised and gilded Kriegsmarine eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, above a central profile of the Paul Jacobi and inscription of “ZERSTÖRER PAUL JACOBI” similarly executed in gilt, the interior content consisting of 23 black card stock pages pasted with 150 black-and-white images, opening with numerous shots of Kriegsmarine battleships, cruisers, and other vessels; transitioning to images of the owner’s recruitment and early training, with many images of personnel drilling and at leisure (on shore and at sea), with further superb shots of Kriegsmarine vessels and personnel; with approximately the halfway point of the album transitioning to the owner’s Second World War service with an elaborate hand-executed illustration captioned “GEGEN ENGLAND” (“AGAINST ENGLAND”), featuring many images of the Paul Jacobi at sea in inhospitable conditions, accompanied by U-Boats, and with scenes of aerial battles between the Luftwaffe and Royal Air Force over the ocean; most images accompanied by handwritten captions, measuring 36.5 cm (w) x 26 cm (h), the drawstring has been partially untied and removed and now precariously holds the album together, there is moderate material fatigue to the interior consistent with age and viewing, and a small number of photos appear to have been removed and replaced, a fascinating look at prewar and wartime life aboard a noted Kriegsmarine vessel in very fine condition.