WW2 Superb Aluminium Nude Lady Trench Art Letter Opener/Page Turner Naples 1945

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Seller: we-750604 ✉️ (79) 100%, Location: Workington, GB, Ships to: GB & many other countries, Item: 235153625086 WW2 Superb Aluminium Nude Lady Trench Art Letter Opener/Page Turner Naples 1945.

Here for your consideration is a superb and extremely rare piece of Italian trench art. 

A solid Aluminium, 11" tapered and curved, nude lady, letter opener/page turner, engraved Naples 1945.

These letter openers/page turners were given to soldiers as a token when they arrived in Naples, Italy during world war II. What better way to open your mail, but with this historic days gone by letter opener. 

A delightful, naked cover girl, from head to toe and maybe was even used in combat if ammo was out?

This tapered and curved letter opener/page turner has been beautifully handcrafted. Please take time look at all photos to fully appreciate the exquisite quality of workmanship in this magnificent piece of Italian WWII trench art. 

Considering this fabulous piece of WWII trench art is over 76 years old it's in extremely good condition, with no splits, damage or repairs. It does have some beautiful age-related patina/patination, commensurate with its age, but nothing unusual. 

When you consider what this piece of Italian trench art has been through, over time, we think it just adds to its character. What is nice is the fact that this delightful piece of trench art is totally unspoilt, which over the years has created a beautiful age related patina !!

Trench Art ...

Any decorative item made by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians where the manufacture is directly linked to armed conflict or its consequences. It offers an insight not only to their feelings and emotions about the war, but also their surroundings and the materials they had available to them. Common articles that these include are decorated shell and bullet casings and items carved from wood and bone.

Not limited to the World Wars, the history of trench art spans conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to the present day. Although the practice flourished during World War I, the term 'trench art' is also used to describe souvenirs manufactured by service personnel during World War II. Some items manufactured by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians during earlier conflicts have been retrospectively described as trench art.

Category 1 Soldier-made items ...

There is much evidence to prove that some trench art was made in the trenches, by soldiers, during the war. George Coppard in 'Machine Gun to Cambrai' talks about pressing his regimental buttons into the clay on the floor of the trench, then pouring molten lead from shrapnel balls into this impression to make lead replicas of the crest – trench art personified.

Chalk carvings were also popular, with contemporary postcards showing carvings into the side of rocky outcrops around dug-outs, which again confirm their existence in the battle zone. Alongside items that, by their nature, had to be made in situ, it is fair to say many smaller items such as rings, paper knives, etc. were made by soldiers either in front line or support trenches, especially in quieter parts of the line. In addition, wounded soldiers would be encouraged to do certain craftwork as part of the recuperation process, with embroidery and simple forms of woodwork being quite common.

Category 2 POW and Internee items ...

The second category consists of items made by prisoners of war and interned civilians. Since Napoleonic times POWs had good reasons to make decorative objects, unending days with little to occupy them and limited food and money. Much POW work was therefore done with the express intention of trading the finished article for food, money or other privileges.

Category 3 Civilian-made items ...

The third category is items made by civilians, which mainly means civilians in and around the conflict zone, but would also include items made by sweethearts at home. In 1914 America set up a Belgian Relief Fund, headed by Herbert Hoover. They shipped over staple foodstuffs, mainly flour sent in the printed cotton flour sacks typical of the period. In thanks the Belgians would embroider and paint in the designs, elaborating them with dates and flags, etc., and send them back to America. Many of these are now in the Herbert Hoover Museum in Iowa, but some were sold to soldiers in Paris or given as gifts to individuals involved in the shipment process.

Civilians in France, in the zones occupied by troops, were quick to exploit this new market. Embroidered postcards were produced in what quickly became a cottage industry, with civilians buying the surrounds and embroidering the panel of gauze. These postcards often had regimental crests or patriotic flags and national symbols in abundance, and millions were produced over the course of the war.

When the war ended and civilians began to reclaim their shattered communities, a new market appeared in the form of pilgrims and tourists. Over the ensuing twenty years the mountains of discarded debris, shell casings and equipment were slowly recycled, with mass-produced town crest motifs being stuck onto bullets, shell casings, fuse caps and sold to tourists.

Category 4 Commercially-made items ...

The fourth category is purely commercial production. After the war, tonnes of surplus materials were sold by the government and converted to souvenirs of the conflict. Ship breaking, particularly if the ship had been involved in significant events, such as Jutland, resulted in much of the wood from the ship being turned into miniature barrels, letter racks, boxes, etc.

Dimensions as follows ...

Length: 11.2 inches or 28.5 cm

Width: 2.5 inches or 6.3 cm

Depth: 0.75 inch or 2.1 cm

Weight: 5 oz or 147 grams   

This is as good as it gets with regards to interesting pieces of trench art. How many of these have you seen? an extremely rare find indeed. I've only got one and once it's gone .... it's gone. If there's one thing I've learned about antiques/collectables when items are of quality and extremely rare he who hesitates usually loses out. 

This rare piece of trench art is so highly collectable and would add value to any military collection. A stylish piece of trench art that has stunning detailed decoration. A real must for any serious military/trench art collector. Rare, interesting and unusual pieces of trench art have become extremely collectable and are really appreciating in value. 

This would make a superb gift. Ideal accessory for a business desk, one thing is for sure, this letter opener will certainly be a real talking point, amongst work colleagues or friends !!

The WWII letter opener/page turner will be sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance.

Please note, all our international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when we know the destination of where items are being sent. Please also note we only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.

Please feel free to look at my other items.

  • Condition: Used
  • Type: Trench Art
  • Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
  • Theme: Militaria

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