Die Beforschung von Fotoalben als historischer Quelle hat in den vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnten wesentliche Impulse erhalten. Das vorliegende Heft bietet einen Überblick über theoretische und methodische Entwicklungen im Feld der interdisziplinären, zeitgeschichtlich orientierten Albumforschung. Es versammelt Beiträge, die Albumpraktiken in verschiedenen geografischen Räumen, Gesellschaften, Kontexten und politischen Regimen von den 1920er-Jahren bis in die Gegenwart analysieren. Das Themenheft zeigt dabei vielfältige Perspektiven auf die Beforschung von Alben auf und streicht die Bedeutung dieser spezifischen visuellen Quellengattung für die zeitgeschichtliche Forschung heraus.
Over the past two decades the research of photo albums as historical sources has grown in popularity. This issue presents an overview of theoretical and methodological developments, both in the fields of interdisciplinary and contemporary album research. It offers contributions that analyse album practices in different geographic regions, societies, contexts, and political regimes from the 1920s to the present. The present issue also shows various perspectives on the research of albums and highlights the importance of these special visual sources for contemporary historical research.
Over the past two decades the research of photo albums as historical sources has grown in popularity. This issue presents an overview of theoretical and methodological developments, both in the fields of interdisciplinary and contemporary album research. It offers contributions that analyse album practices in different geographic regions, societies, contexts, and political regimes from the 1920s to the present. The present issue also shows various perspectives on the research of albums and highlights the importance of these special visual sources for contemporary historical research.