Depeschen-Album : die officiellen Depeschen aus dem deutsch-französischen Kriege im Jahre 1870-1871, nebst einer kurzen Einleitung über die Entstehung des Krieges c. 1872

This album was compiled by Carl Forger, it contains official dispatches from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, along with an introduction to the war's origins. Within the context of 19th-century Europe, this object is more than just a historical record; it's a carefully constructed narrative, and an example of the politics of imagery. The inclusion of portraits, likely of key military figures, is a visual code that emphasizes leadership and authority. The Iron Crosses symbolize the Prussian military, and reflect the intense nationalism and militarism of the time. The album's existence speaks to the institutionalization of war and its representation. By collecting and disseminating these dispatches, the album helps shape public opinion and reinforce the legitimacy of the Prussian cause. To fully understand this album, we need to look into archives and libraries, where we can compare this with other official and unofficial accounts of the war. This album’s existence shows us that even historical documents are mediated objects, shaped by the social and political context in which they were created.