Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
Awards / Log Books / Photo Albums
(click on pictures to enlarge)
WWII named Caterpillar Club gold pin.
Extremely hard to find these days - an original Caterpillar Club pin in gold, with the red "ruby" eyes and in catch to back. Just a fraction over 3/4" long (23mm) and named/engraved to T/S H.U. Dionne. Although this is a British style Caterpillar pin (the US types were larger and silver), the name would seem to indicate a US serviceman (T/S or Technical Sergeant being a US Army rank). New arrival so I have not had time to do any research on the name.
$650 / £535 / €615
 WWII Named caterpillar club gold pin |  WWII Named caterpillar club gold pin |
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 WWII Named caterpillar club gold pin |  WWII Named caterpillar club gold pin |
A assortment of five RAF sports medals 1930s.
Five RAF sports award medals from the 1920s and 1930s. Large gold medal (or coin?) for golf at Halton is marked A/A HALL and dated 1926 and 1929. Two silver medals (second place) for swimming (RAF Aircraft Depot, India) are also named to LAC Hall and dated 1934. Two First Place medals for Intersection Relay (also RAF Aircaft Depot, India) are both marked W.I.R.S. and dated 1933 and 1934. Well worth researching to find out more!
$45 / £35 / €94
 A assortment of RAF sports medals 1930s |  A assortment of RAF sports medals 1930s |
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Fantastic late war Fleet Air Arm Seafire and Hellcat pilot log book grouping with photographs. Detailed Combat entries / credit with 1/2 Zeke.
A total of six log books and International glider pilot's license. The log book of primary interest is labeled "II" (there is no book I). It begins in August 1944 on Seafires with 885 squadron. First flight in a Hellcat November 1944; HMS Ruler, December 1944; 1844 Squadron HMS Indomitable May 1945; on his first combat flight he shot down a Zeke (Zero); several ops until war ended. Highly detailed entries, log book also contains 17 original photographs including a kamikaze attack on a nearby ship. His CO wrote in his log book "It's a pity the end of the war has stopped your flying career - you promised to have good success." It actually didn't stop and he continued flying with ULAS and Air Experience flights for Air Cadets, plus private flying, documented in the other log books. There are several photographs in the post war log books as well. An amazing career well-documented. FAA fighter pilot log books with combat are extremely rare.
ON HOLD
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
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 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |  Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
 Fleet Air Arm Hellcat pilot log books + photographs, combat and credit with 1/2 Zeke kill |
Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report showing a confirmed "kill" by a recognized ace with 8 total kills.
Extremely rare original Combat Report (Army Form 3348) from a 40 squadron SE5a pilot detailing the destruction of a Pfaltz scout aircraft over E. Billy, France on 27th May, 1918. Report is signed in ink by the pilot, Lt. I.F. Hind and by the Commanding Officer of 40 squadron, confirming the kill which was witnessed by several other pilots and Anti Aircraft observers. Great War aerial combat reports are scarce but examples with confirmed kills are rare—especially by an ace. The document has been laminated to protect its fragile nature but could probably be delaminated if desired (personally I would leave it as is). Ivan Frank Hind had 8 kills in total before being shot down and killed on August 12 by Ernst Udet. A fantastic find.
$395 / £300 / €355
 Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |  Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |
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 Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |  Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |
Excellent RAF log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, Halifaxes, sadly killed in action.
A scarce South African Air Force Observer's and Air Gunner's flying log book named to E.C. Gunning, who flew with 51 squadron on Halifax bombers. Begins in April 1944 with training flights, and ends tragically as so many did, on November 4, 1944, with the notation "Killed in Action" (on an op to Bochum). I count 18 ops total, including major targets such as Cologne, Essen, etc. but there is so much more to his story and it is worthy of deeper research. Log books to South African aircrews are considerably more scarce than RAF and other Commonwealth countries.
$775 / £610 / €710
 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |  Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
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 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |  Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |  Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |  Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |  Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
 Excellent and poignant log book to an Air Gunner with 51 squadron, KIA. |
Official signed RAF Combat Report from a Typhoon pilot, January 1943, claiming a Fw190 damaged.
Official "Sub. Form F" (Combats in the Air) second layer copy in blue carbon on HMSO embossed stationery submitted by G.J.F. Blackwell of 256 (Rhodesia) Squadron regarding a combat with a Luftwaffe Fw190 lon the southwest coast of England, january 10, 1943. The claim is that he damaged the aircraft and there is a reference at the bottom of the form for the cine gun camera footage. A wonderful piece of history describing i detail the action which took place. While many fake combat reports have entered the collector market of the past several years, this is an extremely rare 100% genuine combat report in great condition and is fully guaranteed as such. Each combat report is unique and they are great for framing and displaying with any WWII aviation collection.
$350 / £320 / €360
 Official RAF Combat Report from a Typhoon pilot, January 1943, claiming a Fw190 damaged |  Official RAF Combat Report from a Typhoon pilot, January 1943, claiming a Fw190 damaged |
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 Official RAF Combat Report from a Typhoon pilot, January 1943, claiming a Fw190 damaged |  Official RAF Combat Report from a Typhoon pilot, January 1943, claiming a Fw190 damaged |
Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17.
Photo published on May 8, 1939, from a wargames exercise which took place in 1938 - hence aircraft is painted with circular ID marking on wings and fuselage. Photo is 8.5" c 6.5" (22cm x 16.5cm) and crisp, high quality image with official stamps and tags to rear.
$25 / £20 / €25
 Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17 |  Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17 |
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Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942.
RARE photo, publised in June 1942, showing 6 Luftwaffe paratroopers about to board a Ju52 aircraft. Photo measures 7" x 5.25" (18cm x 13cm) with official stamps and caption attached to rear. Though silhouetted against a dramatic sky, much detail can be seen. Fantastic photo.
$25 / £20 / €25
 Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942 |  Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942 |
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Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work during the Battle of France, April 1940.
Amazing high-quality wartime photograph of a Luftwaffe radio operator at work. The detail in the image is superb. Photo measures 7.5" x 5" (19cm x 13cm) with caption and official press release stamps to rear. Dated 3rd April 1940.
$25 / £20 / €25
 Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work |  Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work108 |
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Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots, "Squadrons Up" by Noel Monks.
Squadrons Up was written early in the war and published at the beginning of what we now call the Battle of Britain. It features stories about the men who flew in the Battle of France and focuses on 73 squadron and its iconic New Zealander "Cobber" Kain, the first "Ace" in the RAF. This book was given as a Christmas gift by one of the WAAF nurses who was stationed at Kirton in Lindsey, and who knew these brave men. She attached three personal photographs of the personnel of 73 squadron, including "Doc" Outfin, Cobber Kain and several other notable RAF pilots. Kain was killed in June, 1940 so photos of him are quite scarce and this is a superb piece of history. Noel Monks was the Daily Mail War Correspondent who was "embedded" with the RAF in France and the book itself is highly regarded - but this unique personalized edition is a wonderful piece of history with its own intrinsic value. No dust jacket and has a scorch mark to front cover but otherwise nice tight binding and very good condition.
$150 / £130 / €150
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
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 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime pin-up girl "Nose Art".
Each photo approximately 5" x 3" (13cm x 8cm) and all good quality images of WWII nose art featuring scantilly-clad (or unclad) ladies. A nice collection.
$55 / £46 / €54
 8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime "Nose Art" |
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 8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime "Nose Art" |
 8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime "Nose Art" |
 8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime "Nose Art" |
 8 private and previously unpublished photos of wartime "Nose Art" |
Large (11" x 14") black and white photographic print of a
P-38 pilot wearing RAF flying kit.
Perfect centre-piece for a display of RAF/AAF flying kit: this high quality photographic print of a wartime image measures 11" x 14" (28cm x 36cm) is is mounted on stiff board for museum display. Perhaps someone can identify the pilot? He's a P-38 pilot and he's wearing a RAF Type D helmet, early unwired pattern, fitted with HS-38 headset, Mk VII goggles (with the white painted nuts) and an A-14 oxygen mask. Great photo with crisp detail.
$50 / £40 / €48
 Large (11" x 14") photographic print of a P-38 pilot |
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RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps kite balloon observer/parachutist.
Extremely rare Royal Flying Corps Kite Balloon observer's log kept by Ronald Warren Bool of 43 Kite Balloon Squadron who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal after the war. The log is his Field Service Message book and contains a record of his ascents and listings of photographs he has taken. This was a very high risk duty as the balloons were hydrogen filled, and vulnerable to attack by enemy flyers with incendiary bullets. For this reason, crews were permitted to wear parachutes - and Bool describes taking such evasive action with Lt. T. L. Coates. Included are some other paper documents: a permanent pass, menu/ program for Christmas dinner show 1918 and some clippings incudng a letter he write to the Bystander. Note photocopy of kite balloon pilot is not Bool but is included to show the harness.
$750 / £570 / €685
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
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 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album.
The value and appreciation of this photo album - besides the potential for researching the owner - is undoubtedly the actual album itself. Measuring 14" x 11" (35cm x 28cm), it appears to be made from a very high grade, soft leather, backed with linen and whipped together with a leather thong. The cover is deeply incised, embossed and hand painted with scenes of Egypt and hieroglyphics. It contains 106 good quality photos, mostly local interest and family shots, but some good military pictures, including "Woodvale Typhoon Squadron" and Wilmslow 1940, plus Christmas cards and dinner menus etc. Well worth researching.
$75 / £60 / €70
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
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 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women.
Six wartime period black and white photos of Japanese women, some in traditional costume, very high quality - 5 are high quality studio portraits and the 6th appears to have been cut down from a larger photo. Smallest is 3" x 1" (7.5cm x 2.5cm) with most being 4" x 3" (10cm x 7.5cm). All in good condition.
$35 / £25 / €30
 Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women |  Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women |
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RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank.
Unissued and completely unfilled, an unused RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers. 1943 revision/printing and in perfect condition (except for slight foxing to the pages). Makes a nice souvenir alongside a completed log book or for display with aircrew training equipment.
$75 / £57 / €67
 RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank. |
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 RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank. |
 RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank. |
 RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank. |
 RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank. |
4 x large RAF original wartime photos, very high quality.
Smallest (top left) is 5" x 3.5" (125mm x 90mm) and largest (bottom right) is 8.5" x 6.5" (220mm x 165mm)). All in very good condition, some with captions to back as shown, otherwise I have no further information. Worth close study for the uniforms and the fact that one depicts army officers wearing RAF wings alongside RAF officers; possibly an Army Cooperation squadron or glider regiment? The large group photo is captioned Eastbourne, 1942, with the officer's named. Excellent quality photos, worthy of research.
$70 / £50 / €60
 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
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 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one later postcard-size image signed by Walter Wolfrum.
Classic wartime "hero" postcards featuring Molders, Udet and Wick, all Knight's Cross winners. All in great condition, the Wick postcard is slightly stained and has writing on the back (but no stamp) and has also been removed from an album. The fourth is a more recent postcard showing a wartime photo of another German pilot Walter Wolfrum and is signed by him. I cannot tell if it is signed in sharpie or if it is a facsimile signature and part of the printing, so it is a priced as a facsimile. Price for all four together.
$65 / £48 / €58
 3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one postcard sized image signed by German pilot. |
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 3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one postcard sized image signed by German pilot. |
Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo, 60 Squadron, dated July 1944.
Superb, crisp high quality and larger than normal reconnaissance photograph, dated July 23, 1944 and identified to 60 squadron, but the target is not identified. Measures 9.5" x 8" (24cm x 20cm) which is larger than most photos taken by bombers. Superb clarity of detail. Shows a river and to the lower left an airfield with numerous pock-marks / bomb craters.
$35 / £25 / €30
 Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |
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Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo Roanne Station, France.
8.25" x 7" (21cm x 18cm) photo of the railway marshalling yard and mainline station or depot in Roane, France. Photo is printed on Air Ministry photographic paper and written on the back, in pencil, are "Roanne 36" and what looks like "P. Rec. 155" (perhaps 155 squadron). Comparison to a modern aerial photo confirms it to be Roanne, France.
$35 / £25 / €30
 Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |  Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |
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Set of 2 superb RAF photo albums: training in USA then back to England with XV Squadron RAF.
Well annotated and dated throughout by a Flight Observer with XV Squadron on Stirlings. First album is US made with hand-painted scene on cover "Souvenbir of Miami." American football, RAF rugby, Miami, Baltimore, New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, the Canada and back to England with excellent aerial photos of Blackpool, Scotland and Northern Ireland On official AM paper). Second album is all RAF training and service flying Stirlings with great cockpit photos etc. 77 photos altogether, all high quality and larger size.
$275 / £225 / €255
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
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 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA811 |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
Souvenir postcards from immediate postwar Japan.
3 sets of 6, still in their wrapping.
3 complete sets of 6 "souvenir of Japan" postcards, brought home by a USN veteran who was there at the end of the war. Subjects include popular tourist attractions (Kyoto, Mount Fuji etc,) and the ubiquitous Geisha girls. Still in their original "plain brown wrapping" (though nothing saucy or pornographic inside!). Make a great late war / post war display or decorative backdrop for a collection.
£19 / $25 / €22
 Japan 1945 souvenir postcards |  Japan 1945 souvenir postcards |
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 Japan 1945 souvenir postcards |  Japan 1945 souvenir postcards |