Time Capsules As Found - The Story of the Bring Back Box

[Airborne-Hunter]

75 years ago, as American GI's advanced around the globe they picked up a variety of souvenirs, but as time progresses the era of finding souvenirs in their original state, as they were carried, or as they were shipped home is coming to a close. Therefore, I thought it'd be of interest to document, even showcase, the art of how things were carried or brought home.

I'd like to start this thread off with a German cigar box brought back by Gerald Miller ASN 3 9 3 2 6 5 0 8. This cigar box was found in Oregon which appears to be where Mr. Miller resided and it appears to be what he carried with him while in Europe. It doesn't contain anything particularly rare, but showcases the finds of an average soldier in his travels during the great Crusade and in the manner in which he carried them home.

Please consider posting your own, but please remember this thread is to highlight how things were carried or brought home.

[USCapturephotos]

I absolutely love the idea of this thread and will share some of mine later this week. 

Paul

[Hs132]

So pure!

[1st Sgt CES]

Great Stuff with history !

[USCapturephotos]

I'm going to start small....with these two. I have more that I will be able to post later this week. I hope more jump in as I find this idea for a thread really interesting.

Paul

The first is this letter with a Kriegsmarine eagle tucked inside.

[USCapturephotos]

Next...tiny cardboard ship home box with a few pieces inside.

[USCapturephotos]

Sadly, I often find the empty ship home boxes at flea markets as the stuff inside is long gone. I still buy the empty boxes when I find them.

Paul

[Airborne-Hunter]

For a follow up, I'd like to present this chocolates box I found in a basement at an estate sale two years ago. The airplane fabric, the shrapnel and a couple casings are all from WW1. A few of the bullets are from the 1930s and early 40s. I have the name of the family, but not the name of the individual who brought these back, but its as found in November 2018, in a teens or 20s candy box. Best ABN 

[USCapturephotos]

1 minute ago, Airborne-Hunter said:

For a follow up, I'd like to present this chocolates box I found in a basement at an estate sale two years ago. The airplane fabric, the shrapnel and a couple casings are all from WW1. A few of the bullets are from the 1930s and early 40s. I have the name of the family, but not the name of the individual who brought these back, but its as found in November 2018, in a teens or 20s candy box. Best ABN 

I love this grouping. I have seen several pieces of airplane fabric from WW1 glued into albums but not a separate piece like this. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[USCapturephotos]

A few more. This one only had  a US spoon, cigarette case, gun cleaning material and documents. I really loved the box though.

[USCapturephotos]

This German fuse box was used to ship home two parachutes. I believe they are supply parachutes. I never wanted to pull them out of the box as I don't think I would ever get them back in. This wonderful ship home box was purchased from the family of a member on the forum.

Paul

[USCapturephotos]

This is one of my favorites shipped home from a GI in this well known US medical unit that took part in the liberation of Dachau. I don't know where he shipped this box home from and sadly it was found with no contents. The antique store where I bought it said they got it direct from the family at a yard sale. 

[USCapturephotos]

Lastly...my most unusual ship home container....giant piece of bamboo from the Philippines. I start my WW2 unit for my high school history classes every year with this one. Students come in and in small groups are asked to come and analyze what this is. Ultimately I reveal the contents...imagine the surprise on this GI's wife when she saw this come sliding out....

Paul

I also purchased this from a forum member quite awhile ago. It's one of my favorites in my collection.

[suwanneetrader]

My Dad did not need a box for this one.  Williamstown was a small Grant Country, KY town just off I75 in the North Central part of the State.  3 restaurants and a poolhall family owned with 2 my Dads family side and 2 my Moms (we moved there while Dad in WW2 so she could work at one and I as a First Grader could hang out in Aunt Verm's restaurant while she worked).  Richard

[1canpara]

These are all amazing historical pieces, but that coconut Richard has to be one of the coolest! Even though it didn’t contain any bring back souvenirs, it’s a souvenir unto itself and it’s amazing it went through the postal system as a “package” 👍🏼😊

[USCapturephotos]

Thanks for sharing!

Paul

[Airborne-Hunter]

I'll be digging more stuff out over time, but I have this one quite accessible. I don't know the exact story on this one, but a friend of mine was at an estate sale and found this one buried pretty deep in a closet and I wound up with it. Evidently, I don't think this was the box this stuff was brought home in, but it would appears to be a late 40s/50s child's clothing box likely signifying the growing importance of other things in the vet's life than the mementos contained within. I suspect it was packed away and never opened until around 2012. Best ABN

[USCapturephotos]

Wow. There are some great souvenirs in that box. I also have a uniform removed Herman Goring Division cuff title glued into an album from a US officer in Sicily.

Paul

[urbanminer]

Not a box, but the envelope tells the history. “Souvenirs collected from War prisoners for cigarettes (close of Tunisian Campaign)”




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[USCapturephotos]

Very interesting! What are the two badges? I don’t recognize those.

Paul

[USCapturephotos]

15 hours ago, Airborne-Hunter said:

I'll be digging more stuff out over time, but I have this one quite accessible. I don't know the exact story on this one, but a friend of mine was at an estate sale and found this one buried pretty deep in a closet and I wound up with it. Evidently, I don't think this was the box this stuff was brought home in, but it would appears to be a late 40s/50s child's clothing box likely signifying the growing importance of other things in the vet's life than the mementos contained within. I suspect it was packed away and never opened until around 2012. Best ABN

I keep looking back at this group. Lots to see. I enjoy seeing the ss pieces and the HG pieces the most. Is that HG collar tab also uniform removed can you tell?

Paul

[urbanminer]

Very interesting! What are the two badges? I don’t recognize those.
Paul

The metal one is an Italian Air Force cap badge, marked Binda, Milano. I think the cloth badge is for an Italian bustina cap, maybe for a medic, but I’m not sure.


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[USCapturephotos]

23 minutes ago, urbanminer said:

The metal one is an Italian Air Force cap badge, marked Binda, Milano. I think the cloth badge is for an Italian bustina cap, maybe for a medic, but I’m not sure.


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Thanks for the info Urbanminer! 

Paul

[Armygrandaughter]

On 12/29/2020 at 6:58 AM, USCapturephotos said:

Lastly...my most unusual ship home container....giant piece of bamboo from the Philippines. I start my WW2 unit for my high school history classes every year with this one. Students come in and in small groups are asked to come and analyze what this is. Ultimately I reveal the contents...imagine the surprise on this GI's wife when she saw this come sliding out....

Paul

I also purchased this from a forum member quite awhile ago. It's one of my favorites in my collection.

You have to be one of the coolest High School History teachers ever! I wish I would've had a history teacher like you in school! Showing your students these  artifacts is brilliant! I'm sure it makes the students more engaged and interested to learn more in your class. 

[Kurt Barickman]

18 hours ago, Airborne-Hunter said:

I'll be digging more stuff out over time, but I have this one quite accessible. I don't know the exact story on this one, but a friend of mine was at an estate sale and found this one buried pretty deep in a closet and I wound up with it. Evidently, I don't think this was the box this stuff was brought home in, but it would appears to be a late 40s/50s child's clothing box likely signifying the growing importance of other things in the vet's life than the mementos contained within. I suspect it was packed away and never opened until around 2012. Best ABN

Now that has some great stuff in that one; SA gorget, NSKK gorget, SS officer boards, HG, etc. Thanks for sharing.

Kurt