W.C. DUFFIELD, 1941

DUFFIELD, W.C. (fl.1941). [Photograph album, Palestine, c. 1941.]

An extremely rare album of photographs assembled by a member of the Palestine Police Force (PPF).

. 56 photographs (various sizes from 70 x 55 mm. to 140 x 90 mm.) and postcards (100 x 147 mm.), many with manuscript annotations, mounted on 24 leaves, with guards, plus 5 photographs and 1 postcard loosely inserted, small oblong 4to (158 x 225 mm.) Original black cloth, string tie (extremities rubbed).
Provenance:
‘B.C.W. Duffield / Palestine Police Force / Jerusalem’ (label on front pastedown).

Duffield, whose photographs show subjects in Acre, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and elsewhere, evidently had a strong interest in Palestinian culture and the customs of local inhabitants. Many of the photographs in this album depict locals relaxing, dancing, and socialising, as well as several street and architectural scenes. Of particular significance are a group of approximately 20 photographs of Duffield and his fellow policemen. These offer rare insights into the personal and working lives of British policemen serving in Palestine at this time. As well as depicting a range of armoured and other police vehicles, this group of photographs highlights the ways in which policemen socialised in Palestine, with four superb images showing the ‘Police Entertainment Party’ of September 1941. Others show Duffield and two other men in their roles as Government House chauffeurs.
158 x 225 x 30 mm.