This is a fascinating World War II-era military comic postcard, specifically produced for soldiers stationed in or passing through Idaho. It provides a great piece of social history regarding the lifestyle of servicemen during the mid-1940s.
Postcard Description
- Front (Comic): The illustration features a personified \"Idaho Potato\" acting as a mess hall cook, serving oversized potatoes to a line of soldiers. The caption in the orange box reads: \"Some chow here... IDAHO POTATOES an\' everything!\" This is a play on Idaho’s famous agricultural export.
- Back (Messenger/Provenance):
- Sender: Pvt. Robert Wirth (Service #36806685).
- Unit: Co. B 119 Med. Bn. (Medical Battalion).
- Recipient: Mr. & Mrs. E. Bramschreiber in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Postmark: Shreveport, LA, dated July 27, 1944. It also features a red U.S.O. Hut stamp from Pocatello, Idaho.
- Message: \"Dear folks, Just a line to say hello from Idaho will write later. Had a nice trip but what a place I got in now. Bob\"
- Publisher/Origin: \"This card is furnished for convenience of men in the Armed Services by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Boise, Idaho.\"
Historical Context & Significance
- The 119th Medical Battalion: This unit was part of the 44th Infantry Division. By July 1944 (the date on this card), the 44th was preparing for deployment; they actually shipped out for the European Theater of Operations in September 1944.
- Geographic Journey: The postcard was acquired at a U.S.O. (United Service Organizations) hut in Pocatello, Idaho, likely while the soldier was in transit via train, but it wasn\'t actually mailed until he reached Shreveport, Louisiana.
Estimated Value
This postcard falls into the \"Military Comic\" and \"State Souvenir\" categories of deltiology.
Factors Impacting Value:
- Condition: The card shows some corner wear and light aging, but the colors are bright and the postmarks are clear.
- The \"U.S.O. Hut\" Stamp: Localized U.S.O. stamps from specific towns like Pocatello add a premium for \"postal history\" collectors.
Because this is a mass-produced governmental souvenir card, it is not \"rare\" in the sense of being one-of-a-kind, but the specific unit history (119th Med Bn) makes it a very desirable piece for WWII collectors.
Size: 3-1/4\" x 5-1/2\"
Please review the attached pictures for additional details.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items purchased and shipped in the same package.
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