Culver City,
California
x
Photo album
Country: German Democratic Republic
Materials: photograph paper; leather; paper; ink
Measurements: 29 cm x 65 cm x 5 cm; 11 7/16 in x 25 9/16 in x 1 15/16 in; 31 cm x 90 cm x 3.5 cm; 12 3/16 in x 35 7/16 in x 1 3/8 in
Set of 2 photo ablums depicting the workings of GDR factories. Photo album 1 has a blue leather cover with gold type. The cover indicates that the album is from the WMW the GDR's state-owned tool manufacturer. Under the VVB WMW were 4 seperate kombinats, including the "Machine Tool combine, 7th October Berlin" to which this album belongs ( VVB being an organization that comprises mustliple state-woned enterprises in the same industry, and WMW or "Werkzeugmaschinenkombinat" literally translating to "Machine tools and tools"). Under each of the 4 kombinats were a larger number of indiviudal VEB subsidiaries factories all under the overseeing kombinat. The 7th of October is sginificant as the founding day of the German Democratic Republic (Oct 7, 1949) "Republic Day". The photos themselves are shots of workers and equipment within these VEB subsidiaries. Most of the work done at these plants was the construction of heavy-industry equipment. Text below each photo usually indicates what plant the photo wsa taken at, and what machine it is of. The second photo album also belongs to the "Machine Tool combine, 7th October Berlin". Tan cardboard cover with metal rings on the interior. On the title page the photo album actaully lists all of the kombinat subsideries under the WMW. This second albums photos features much of the same themes as the first, but with the much more regarding foreign visits. In fact most ot the albums first 20 or so pages are shots of forein delegations and visitors inspecting the kombinats equipement. Both albums are in fantastic condition, and judging by their quality were probably given to somehow of a relatviely notable position.
Accession Number: 2012.1149.001