WWI and WWII Letter Pouches, Pillow Covers and Pin Back Buttons. Unless noted, these items were sold at most military bases regularly but became significantly more popular during WWI and WWII.
Handkerchief Envelope
Handkerchief Envelopes for storing handkerchiefs. Satin “U.S. Army Friendship Hankies” with cream cover, mint green along the top and on the inside. Writing in deep blue with large eagle emblem and poem called “Friendship.” Inside has a ribbon band of embroidered flowers to hold hankies. The back is pale orange.
WWI Letter Pouch (cream)
WWI Letter Pouch in cream satin with a pink ribbon border and a framed rectangle embroidered with pink flowers with words “To my Friend” and a gold tone “USA” pin.The inside cream cover has a silk screen picture of a woman in profile framed within a flower printed heart, and the profile of soldier in an oval frame with an eagle standing on 2 crossed rifles. In the center between the two portraits is another flag, the words “Forget Me Not” and a 4 lines poem. Includes eagle pin that says “CMTCM,” with crossed rifles and the initials “HM.” The inside of the bottom has a pocket made of flag fabric with 48 stars. Pouch 7” x 10-1/2.” DATE: Circa 1917.
WII Letter Pouch (red)
WWII Letter Pouch in red satin trimmed with purple ribbon and hand painted red flowers and green leaves. Says, “Mother” and in the corner “US Navy” with an anchor. The inside of the cover is cream with four roses creating a frame and in the middle the word “Mother” with a 4 line poem. The inside of the bottom has a pocket made of flag fabric with 48 stars. Pouch 7” x 9.” DATE:1940s.
WII Letter Pouch (deep pink)
WWII Letter Pouch in deep pink satin, the word “Sweetheart hand-painted on a diagonal between two red roses. The inside of the pouch is cream satin with a poem “Sweetheart” and on the bottom is a pocket that says “US Army” with pink flowers. Inside the pocket is a tiny piece of light blue fabric pair of underpants w/cream lace trim, and written on them is “US Army” on one side and on the other, “To my Sweetheart.” There is a picture of Cupid, silk screened in black w/a poem titled “Sweetheart.” 7” x 11.” DATE:1940s
World War Service “Sister” Pillow Cover (pink and white)
World War Service “Sister” pink and white silk cover, navy back and gray fringe, says “USA Camp Gordon Atlanta, Ga” and in the upper left corner is the image of a doughboy’s face set inside a star w/American, French and British flags, and on top of the star there is an American Eagle holding a ribbon w/the words “World War Service.” In the lower right corner is “Lady Justice” with her sword and shield and the eagle with the words, “E Pluribus Unum 1918.” Circa: 1918
WWI “Mother” Pillow Cover (pale pink)
WWI “Mother” pale pink cotton cover w/yellow fabric back and pink fringe; printed image of a woman inside a picture frame with an American flag on each side and 3 red carnations reads “Mother” with a 4 line poem. DATE: Circa 1917.
Navy “Mother” Pillow Cover (yellow)
Navy “Mother” yellow acetate cover with dark green fringe. In the center is a poem to “Mother,” framed with a rope, roses and anchor. Ribbon over anchor reads “Our Navy America’s Guardian USN.” Center top has an American eagle and American coat of arms, bordered by cruiser and aircraft carrier. Along the bottom is a battleship, a seaplane, submarine and destroyer. DATE: Circa 1941.
Navy “Wife” Pillow Cover (light pink and blue)
Navy “Wife” light pink and blue acetate cover with a peach cotton back and blue and yellow fringe. The center picture says “US NAVY, US Navy Training School – Ames, Iowa with a picture of a ship printed in center, it reads Poem “To My Wife; top left corner the American Eagle standing on an anchor, top right corner an anchor formed by people says, “A Human Picture Composed of Blue Jackies in Uniform.” 17” sq. DATE: 1940s
Navy “Mother” Pillow Cover (pink)
Navy “Mother” pink acetate cover with a teal back and yellow fringe. Printed in the center in large navy blue letters, “U.S.Navy,” to left “In service for my country and You,” on the right is a large “V,” in the middle “Camp Peary, Va” Along the bottom left is a 2” bee with a sailor’s hat and gun with the word “Seabees,” to the right a framed poem “to My Mother” DATE: Circa: 1941.