An Esoteric Collection of Great War Memorabilia: Pt. I—Souvenirs

Over the decades one tends to collect, or be given (even inherit), a variety of curiosities from the Great War. This Roads post visits some oddments I've come to enjoy, especially as I revisit them for this post. I look forward to your comments and hope you have your own oddments to share. 

                                                                                                        Asst. Editor Kimball Worcester 

 

 

 

 

 Liberty & Civilisation—Opposed to—Aggression & Barbarism

                                                                  In Freedom's Cause

 

                                                                         And Italy

 

                                Field Marshal The Right Honourable The Earl Kitchener, 

                                     KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, PC

 

French Nursing Sister

5 mm high 

 

 

                                  Noteworthy carved commemorative frame with poppies and                                                            two photos of the Leaning Virgin of Albert that I inserted.                                                  Perhaps in France there would have been a photo of a son, brother, or husband                                             in 1914 and one from 1919 when he mercifully returned. 

 

 Two Tommies, Battle-Worn, Who Now Stand-to on My Staircase

8 mm high 

Memories from Ypres

 

Mechanical Pencil, 10.5 mm extended, 6.5 mm retracted 

This brooch comprises the coats of arms of the French Royal family (three fleur-de-lis topped by a crown) and that of Ypres (Cross of Lorraine above the Cross of Bailleul), separated by the British Royal Coat of Arms. (Interesting given that France was no longer a monarchy.) 

                                                                        3.5 x 3.5 mm 

 

Two examples of exquisite needlework on linen bags, made by Frenchwomen to raise money in America for the war effort. See https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/women-in-wwi/french-stitchery

 

 

Tomorrow, look for Pt. II—In and About the Trenches and Beyond