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First issue of The Mess Kit, Vol. 1, No. 1, published in France in June 1919 “for the Soldiers of the A.E.F.” An uncommon piece of American military ephemera produced during the peculiar interval after the First World War, when American troops remained in Europe awaiting demobilization and passage home.
The issue captures that moment remarkably well. Its opening editorial, “After the Sunset,” reflects on the war, the Paris Peace Conference, Bolshevism, Germany, the future of international relations, and above all the soldiers’ desire to return home. Elsewhere are cartoons, poetry, soldier humor, commentary on Army life, French civilian subjects, and repeated references to the long-awaited journey back to the United States.
Illustrated throughout, including a full-page Social Hygiene Division, Army Educational Commission image captioned “Steady buddy—There’s a come-back!” and a large illustrated scene of soldiers preparing for departure captioned “Oh Boy! Oh Joy! We’ll Soon Be On Our Way!”
A vivid primary-source record of the American Expeditionary Forces at the end of their European service, combining military journalism, humor, illustration, social history, and the soldiers’ own perspective on the aftermath of World War I.
Details
Title: The Mess Kit
Volume: Vol. 1, No. 1
Date: June 1919
Place: France
Publication: Published for the Soldiers of the A.E.F.
Original price: One Franc
Format: Illustrated military periodical
Pagination: 16 pages
Language: English
Dimensions: Approximately 9⅝ × 12¼ inches
Condition
Good overall for fragile 1919 military ephemera. Paper uniformly toned, with horizontal and vertical folds, creasing, edge wear and small tears. Some corner and marginal wear. Binding remains intact. Ink inscription “Kirby” to one illustrated page. See photographs for condition and individual pages. Additional photographs available on request.
