Annuals. British Journal of Photography Almanac 1943.

Henry Greenwood & Co., London. 392 pp. with articles [inc. one on three-dimensional cinematography], ads, formulas, and 32 gravures by photographers, including Yousuf Karsh of Winston Churchill, another by Karsh, F.J. Mortimer, G. Newby (of a statuesque nude), et al. Thoroughly indexed including to products. Green cloth, corner bump, moderate wear to extremities, very good.  Summary:

The 1943 British Journal of Photography (BJP) Almanac, edited by Arthur J. Dalladay, is a remarkable historical artifact that captures the photographic community's resilience during the height of World War II. Despite severe paper rationing and the physical dangers of the Blitz, this edition serves as both a technical record and a morale-boosting gallery of British and Allied artistry.

Wartime Context and Content

The Almanac reflects a "business as usual" spirit amidst global conflict. It balances the practical necessities of wartime photography (such as working with chemical shortages) with a celebration of high-end portraiture and landscapes.

• The War Effort: Much of the editorial content focuses on the utility of photography in reconnaissance, medical documentation, and propaganda, acknowledging the medium's vital role in the Allied struggle.

• Technical Compendium: As was tradition, a large portion of the book is dedicated to the "Epitome of Progress," featuring updated formulas for developers, fixers, and optical tables, which were essential for photographers maintaining their own darkrooms during the war.

Featured Photographers

The 1943 pictorial supplement is noted for its high-quality gravure reproductions, featuring some of the era's most influential figures:

• Yousuf Karsh: This issue highlights Karsh’s burgeoning international fame. Having recently captured his "Roaring Lion" portrait of Winston Churchill in 1941, Karsh’s contributions emphasize his signature high-contrast lighting and his ability to capture the "inner mask" of world leaders.

• F.J. Mortimer: A giant of British pictorialism and the editor of Amateur Photographer, Mortimer’s work often features his mastery of marine photography and dramatic compositions. (Tragically, Mortimer would be killed by a secondary blast during an air raid just a year later in 1944).

• Other Contributors: The volume includes a diverse array of salon-style photography, ranging from the serene English countryside (a symbol of what was being defended) to industrial studies of the war machine.

Key Themes

1. Pictorialism vs. Realism: The Almanac showcases the tension between the fading "Pictorialist" style (soft focus, painterly) and the emerging "Straight Photography" required by the fast-paced news cycles of the 1940s.

2. Resourcefulness: A recurring theme is "making do"—how to salvage silver from fixing baths and how to preserve equipment when new replacements were non-existent due to factory diversions for military optics.

3. National Identity: The imagery serves as a visual testament to British endurance, featuring rugged landscapes, stoic portraits, and the quiet dignity of a nation under siege.

Historical Significance: Today, the 1943 Almanac is prized by historians not just for its photographic content, but as a primary source documenting how the "chemistry of photography" survived the "chemistry of warfare."