This collection consists of 442 copy photographs including color dye coupler photo transparencies and silver gelatin photo-negatives which document U.S. Navy aircraft and aviation activities during World War II. They include aerial combat, aircraft carrier landings and takeoffs, bombings, explosions, flights, and signal exchanges. Aircraft shown include a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Douglas SBD Dauntless, and Grumman F6F Hellcat. There are photographs of aircraft carriers including details of bridges and flight decks, as well as images of ships in dry dock, a task force, and one image of Pearl Harbor in 1944.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward J. Steichen (1879-1973) was a prominent photographer during both World War I and World War II. During World War I he commanded the photographic division of the U.S. Army Expeditionary Forces, where he learned aerial photography. During World War II Steichen served as director of the U.S. Naval Photographic Institute, overseeing all combat photography, and organized the 'Road to Victory' and 'Power in the Pacific' exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). From 1947 to 1962 he directed MOMA's Department of Photography.
General:
The original negatives to this collection are housed at the National Archives.
NASMrev
Provenance:
No donor information, Unknown, unknown, XXXX-0553, unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests