Original photograph, 1918.  9×6 inches.  Good condition.  $200

I wonder what the French officer sitting behind the table at the center background thought about at night, after his day was done.  I wonder what it was that went through his head, his eyes fluttering, as he slipped into sleep?  As the accompanying caption of this photo states, this was a census of dogs, a census of army dogs in the French army, taken at “the battle front” of Verdun, and dated 10 October 1918.  Did he think of his duties expended throughout the day, and weeks and months?  Counting dogs as a war effort may have been a hard thing to consume.  Perhaps this officer had already seen his share of war, perhaps he had fought from 1914 and onwards, this position being relatively benign, a reward for years of impossibly difficult service in a bloody war. Or perh