WWI Brussels: German Army Invasion 20.8.1914 Etrich Taube Parseval (Lot Of 11 Vintage Glass Plate Negatives)

lot of 11 original unique historical glass plate negatives from the first world war, documenting the historic day of august 20, 1914, when the german imperial army entered the city of brussels, belgium. 

the plates are size 9x12 cm and come in their original cardboard storage box. all plates are individually numbered from 198 to 208 on the emulsion.

historical background:
on august 4, 1914, the german empire violated belgian neutrality to execute the schlieffen plan, aiming to bypass french border fortifications. after heavy resistance by the belgian army in liege and namur, brussels was declared an open city to protect its historic architecture from destruction. on the afternoon of august 20, 1914, the german 1st army under general alexander von kluck began a massive 26-hour military parade through the capital. this photographic essay captures the precise, film-like timeline of that day, from early air surveillance to the motorized supply columns.

detailed description of the individual plates:
198: early air surveillance showing a german parseval-sigsfeld observation balloon (drachenballon) floating high in the sky over the monumental world exhibition halls in the parc du cinquantenaire. these tethered balloons were crucial tactical assets used by the german army to spot barricades, monitor civilian crowds, and search for allied troops from above.
199: military medical units marching along the tree-lined avenue louise. several soldiers are carrying bicycles with full marching gear, wearing distinct red cross armbands on their sleeves, accompanied by pack horses.
200: a military parade of german cavalry units riding towards the camera on the avenue louise. a prominent real estate sign reading "terrain a vendre" is visible on the wall in the background, proving the authentic belgian location. an early motorized staff or ambulance car can be seen on the right.
201: heavy motorized logistics of the rear supply troops (etappe). the image shows a large military transport truck with solid rubber tires pulling a two-axle wooden transport trailer. three german soldiers wearing the traditional field cap (kraetzchen) are sitting on the front bench of the trailer. vintage handwritten sutterlin script markings are visible on the side panels.
202: a high-resolution documentary shot of a german bicycle infantry company (radfahrer-kompanie) leading the main march down the avenue louise. the columns are heavily packed with military gear to secure strategic crossroads ahead of the main infantry.
203: a candid, hidden perspective taken from behind a civilian shoulder. the picture shows the traumatic shock of the population, featuring a local woman in an apron standing frozen at the entrance of a grocery shop as german cavalry troops gallop past. the architecture shows classic brussels building facades with shut blinds as a form of silent protest.
204: another heavy military lorry with a transport trailer passing a brussels shop named "cremerie - beurre". in the foreground, local citizens including a young man in a suit, a boy, and a small dog are watching the massive military machinery in disbelief.
205: a very dynamic scene capturing the emotional chaos in the streets. a large crowd of brussels citizens is filling the avenue louise while a german military regimental band passes by with brass instruments playing, flanked by soldiers with fixed bayonets.
206: endless lines of prussian infantry troops marching in perfect formation down the avenue louise. the soldiers are wearing full backpacks (tornister) and pickelhaube helmets covered in light gray cloth to camouflage the shiny brass. an elderly local citizen with a bowler hat and walking cane crosses the street in the foreground.
207: a rare and highly sought-after aviation history photograph taken at the airfield of haren-evere on the northeastern outskirts of brussels, which was captured the very same day. the image shows a famous german monoplane, the etrich-rumpler taube (dove), resting on the grass field after a hard landing, surrounded by soldiers and curious onlookers. a local water tower is visible in the background.
208: the final plate of the reportage, showing another etrich taube monoplane in mid-flight against a cloudy sky over brussels. these bird-like aircraft were legendary early war reconnaissance planes, making this a spectacular document of early aerial warfare.

the emulsion is remarkably sharp and well-preserved with excellent contrast. typical silvering and edge wear due to age are visible on some plates, particularly plate 208, but the central subjects remain mostly unaffected.

the items will be packed with professional archival care using shock-absorbing material to guarantee safe international shipping.

PLEASE NOTE: the 4th last scan shows a close-up of the etrich taube airplane - the complete scan is the one before...and the 2nd last scan is a close-up of the etrich taube airplane in flight - the complete scan is the one before!

size: ~ 12 x 9 cm (1 cm ~ 0.39 inch)

condition: very good...normal signs of wear...some silvering...some differences in exposure....please also refer to scans which show complete glass plates

all together a super rare highly interesting lot for museums, historicans and first world war collectors...

photography, fotografie, positive, glasdia, glas dia, glas negatif, photography, ww1 glass negative, world war i, 1914 1918, soldiers, troops, invasion