[Taylor, R., Attributed to]. Album with Forty-One Gelatin Silver Photographs Taken by a Private of the 9th Marine Regiment of the US Marine Corps During the Mass Ascent of Mountain Fuji. 1957.

Oblong Quarto album ca. 19,5x24,5 cm (7 ¾ x 9 ¾ in). 14 card stock leaves (1 blank). With 41 mounted gelatin silver photographs (one photo mounted to verso of the front endpaper), mostly from ca. 11x15 cm (4 ¼ x 6 in) to ca. 8,5x9 cm (3 ½ x 3 ½ in). Period custom-made green pictorial papered board binding with a gilt-lettered title, gilt-tooled coat of arms of the United States Marine Corps, and color-stamped silhouette of Mt. Fuji on the front board; color-stamped name of the compiler (R. G. Taylor) on front paste down. Residue of a removed tape on the front board, mounts with some staining of residue of the old tape being removed, front endpaper loose, but overall a very good album with strong photos.

Historically interesting album with original gelatin silver photographs documenting the 9th Marine Regiment of the US Marine Corps climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan on 21 June 1957. “Four thousand U.S. marines carrying traditional six-foot climbing sticks toiled up 12,388-foot Mt. Fuji today in a mass assault. The climb-a recreational jaunt, not a military operation-began on four trails leading to the summit. The Marines, members of the 9th regiment stationed here, planned to bivouac in the snowy heights and climb down tomorrow.” (The News Journal. 21 June 1957. P. 15.)

The album was apparently compiled by Ronald G. Taylor, private of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd. Marine Division, during his service in Japan. The 9th Marines were deployed to Japan to support the defense of the Far East area in 1953, later relocating to Okinawa in 1956 and maintaining a fluctuating presence in both locations until moving to Vietnam in 1965.

The collection features 41 well-executed photographs taken during the two-day ascent to Mt. Fuji. Most images depict thousands of marines climbing up the snowy slopes, carrying backpacks & sticks, holding flags, building tents, resting, passing a torii gate at the summit, looking down at the clouds from the top, etc. The photographs (group and individual) show marines climbing the mountain and captivating views of Mt. Fuji from different angles. Overall, a historically interesting album of American post-war presence in Japan.