Color Uniforms

Sotheby's auction house was selected to offer the late Bill Guthman's remarkable American militaria collection. Bill was among the foremost collectors and scholars in this field. His scholarly publications and frequent lectures illuminated this evocative and important aspect of American history and culture for more than forty years. He was among the first to recognize the cultural value and artfulness of military artifacts. He began to collect uniforms, caps, plates, buckles, knapsacks, canteens, weapons, and drums, as well as artifacts from the Revolutionary and French and Indian Wars, in the 1940s, before the interstate highway became a conduit for draining the attics of the Northeast. This catalog has brilliant color photos of many of the finest pieces in the collection, many of which are unique survivors from a time when America was young.

This is perhaps the most important book on German Army Uniforms ever. The authors have accomplished the miraculous feat of documenting all significant items of the period. All are lavishly illustrated in hundreds of full-color photos, supplemented by extensive expert commendary, and with many contemporary b/w photographs. Covered in great detail are emblems, insignia and badges, including: national emblem, ranks, collar patches, other insignia, and aigullettes. Under the heading of clothing are: issue clothing, tailor-made garments, requisitioned material, headgear, tunics, trousers, greatcoats, and footwear. They are all covered in great detail. Lastly the authors deal with Field Equipment, including: markings, materials, belts, straps, breadbags, canteens, shelter quarters, gas-masks, cartridge holders, grenades, spodes, holsters, map cases, ammunition pouches, and machine guns.