American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Exceptionally well-captioned personal photograph albums of U.S. Army soldier Wiley J. Ray, comprising well over 500 photographs spanning ca 1930s-1950s. Photographs ranging in size from 8 x 10 in. to 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in., with most being 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. black and white snapshots. Images are predominantly of pre-WWII Hawaii (ca 1938-1940) and post-war Japan (ca1946-1950), including army life and installations, snapshots of soldiers, recreational activities on and off base, landscapes and townscapes, cultural activities and attractions, and more.

Notable images include active volcanos in Hawaii and native islanders, the destruction of Hiroshima, and occupied Japan. Handwritten and typed photo descriptions accompany many of the images providing an unusually detailed record of the soldier's service.

Together, 5 albums. The "Impression of Japan" album is without photographs, but contains loose ephemera. Conditions vary, but generally good. Some loose images, some permanently adhered to black paper backing while others are held in photo corners. 

[With:] Ephemera such as newspaper clippings documenting Ray's career, programs from military events, postcards, "A Brief History of U.S. Defenses in Hawaii" (ca 1939), and "Hawaii As the Camera Sees It" (Fifth Edition).

Master Sergeant Wiley J. Ray (1903-1966) was born and raised in North Carolina. He first enlisted with the U.S. Army in March 1922, then was assigned to the 5th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Bragg where he learned the fundamentals of armored warfare. He stayed there for sixteen years serving also with the 36th FA Battalion. In 1939 Ray was transferred to Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, with the 11th FA Division. In 1941 he served briefly with the newly formed Second Armored Division at Fort Benning before becoming First Sergeant in the Armored Force Replacement Training Center and then Shop Foreman in the 399th AFA. July 1944 saw Ray at the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Robinson. After a career of service, he was discharged from the army in December 1958. Master Sergeant Ray is buried at LaFayette Memorial Park in Fayetteville, NC.

[Also with:] The White Rabbit. Original pen and ink illustration by Gregory Beecham for an edition of the book entitled The White Rabbit, unsigned, approx. 5 x 5 1/2 in. "The White Rabbit" was the code name for the famous World War II British SOE Agent F. Yeo-Thomas. Accompanied by copy of The White Rabbit by Bruce Marshall. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1952. -- 5 x 3 3/8 in. "Marines" plaque featuring patriotic eagle at center. -- 20+ silver gelatin photographs, most approx. 7 x 9 in. or smaller, documenting personalities and military conflicts dating from the early-to-mid 20th century, including some press photographs with typed labels affixed to verso. Scenes include a view of the Spirit of St. Louis, French fliers Maurice Rossi and Paul Codos with Oklahoma flier Wiley Post, soldiers in the field with weaponry, and more. -- Original artwork featuring portrait of Capt. Peter Mason by Dick Kramer for the front cover of the book Official Assassin, signed "Dick Kramer 1998," approx. 20 x 15 in. -- Original pencil drawing featuring portrait of Jim Bowie by Dick Kramer, signed "Dick Kramer 2003," approx. 20 x 15 in.