PGEM - De Schakel [Jaargang 1941/1942]: Orgaan der N.V. Provinciale Geldersche Electriciteits Mij tot voorlichting van haar verbruikers

G.J. Backer van Leuven [red.] - De Schakel: Orgaan der N.V. Provinciale Geldersche Electriciteits Mij tot voorlichting van haar verbruikers - Arnhem - P.G.E.M. - 1941/1942 - 1st edition - [176] pp - Hardcover - 21 x 28 cm.

Condition: Good - with wear / spots / damage. Rare.

Magazine of the electricity company in Gelderland as published between January 1941 and June 1942 (total of 14 issues). Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and colour-assisted illustrations. Two bound years in one half-cloth binding, with K-number K505. Scarce documentation; according to NCC not present in the public collections.

The monthly magazine provides an insight into everyday life in the early years of the German occupation of Holland during the Second World War. With photo competitions, recipes, articles about the 'metering laboratory' in Arnhem (with images of bakelite meters), the electric milking of cows, colour photography (!), fashion, Philishave shavers, electricity in KLM aircraft, kitchen appliances (washing machines, refrigerators) and lots of money saving tips. Due to the scarcity of paper, the issues gradually became thinner and appeared more irregular.

¶ In the 'Schakel-foto-vacantie-wedstrijd' of October 1941, a certain A. Bouvet from Velp wins the first prize in class B (professional photographers) with 'Dennenstammen'. After the war, Arnold J.J. Bouvet published the book 'Arnhems Kruisweg' in which he showed the devastation of the Battle for the Arnhem Rhine Bridge. Little more is known about Bouvet than that he was a member of the Association of Dutch Journalists.