# ULTRA-RARE WWII USMC TIME CAPSULE LOT:
## 1948 First Edition "History of the Sixth Marine Division" Book WITH Original 1946 Field-Issued Tsingtao, China Orders & Shipboard Newspaper
Up for sale is a spectacular, completely unique World War II Marine Corps historical group. This is not just a standard copy of the highly collectible 1948 unit history—it is a true veteran's personal time capsule. Preserved safely between the pages of this book for 80 years are two original, ephemeral 1946 field-distributed items belonging to a Marine who served in the 4th Marine Regiment during the post-war occupation of Tsingtao, China.
An exceptional find for advanced militaria curators and collectors of the "Striking Sixth" Marine Division.
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### ITEM 1: THE BOOK
* **Title:** History of the Sixth Marine Division: Melanesia, Micronesia, Orient
* **Editor:** First Lieutenant Bevan G. Cass, U.S. Marine Corps
* **Publisher:** Infantry Journal Press, Washington, D.C.
* **Year:** 1948 (Stated First Edition)
* **Binding:** Original dark green cloth with the multi-colored 6th Marine Division insignia stamped prominently on the front cover.
* **Features:** Beautiful full-color illustrated map endpapers, expansive combat photography, battle maps, comprehensive operations breakdowns (Guadalcanal, Guam, Okinawa), and the official Roll of Honor / awards roster.
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### ITEM 2: THE HISTORICAL EPHEMERA (FOUND INSIDE)
These two documents are invaluable because they provide an ironclad historical link to a specific unit, location, and timeframe at the tail-end of WWII. Because these documents were distributed to individual troops to be read and discarded, surviving copies are exceedingly rare.
#### A. 1946 Headquarters Fourth Marines Regimental Farewell Order
* **Date Issued:** September 4, 1946
* **Location:** Headquarters, Fourth Marines, Second Marine Division (Tsingtao, China)
* **Type:** Authentic mimeographed field document (Regimental Memo Number 4-46).
* **Content:** A formal, poignant farewell address from Brigadier General William T. Clement issued to the men of the 4th Marines as control of the regiment passed over to the 2nd Marine Division. It praises their combat "aggressiveness and determination," their role in the initial occupation of Japan, and their post-war service in China.
* **Military Authenticity:** Issued by order of Lt. Col. R. L. Denig, Jr., with Lt. Col. F. Belton listed as XO, and physically signed in ink by unit Adjutant Captain R. A. Smith.
#### B. "The Breckinridge News" — Souvenir Homecoming Edition
* **Date Issued:** September 30, 1946
* **Type:** Original shipboard-produced newspaper printed aboard the USS General J. C. Breckinridge (AP-176).
* **Content:** Features a highly detailed, full-page illustrated map tracking the 10,000+ mile "Daily Position" voyage home from Tsingtao, past Japan, across the International Date Line, through the Panama Canal, and final arrival at Norfolk, Virginia.
* **Historical Insight:** The front-page article, titled "Standby USA," captures the raw, candid thoughts of returning Marines adjusting to civilian life, discussing "China Duty" flies and mud, sky-high post-war inflation, civilian housing shortages, and heading back to college.
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🔍 OFFICIAL CONDITION REPORT & ARCHIVAL GRADINGOverall Lot Status: Premium Historic Time Capsule ArchiveBook Grade: Very Good (VG) — structural preservation.Ephemera Grade: Very Good (VG) / Archival-Protected — Exceedingly well-preserved field paper stock.1. Primary Volume: 1948 Unit History BookExterior Boards & Cloth: The original deep green textured cloth boards are stiff, completely solid, and structurally stable. There is only very light rubbing along the sharpest points of the corners and outermost edge perimeters, with no significant fraying. Front Cover Insignia: The multi-colored 6th Marine Division emblem stamped onto the front cover is remarkably crisp, vibrant, and entirely free of modern peeling, scratching, or typical severe fading. Spine & Gold Gilt: The spine is beautifully squared with perfectly intact head and tail bands. The stamped gold gilt lettering remains exceptionally bright, reflective, and sharp, proving the book was stored flat and away from destructive sunlight for decades. Binding & Hinges: The internal structural binding remains rigid, tight, and completely uncompromised. The inner hinges are perfect, cleanly bearing the full weight of the heavy paper block without pulling or splitting.Endpaper Maps: The stunning, full-color illustrated strategic theater maps on the front and back are free of central seam cracks or old tape stains. Internal Text & Pages: The interior pages are crisp, flat, clean, and entirely free of modern owner names, ink inscriptions, highlighters, or dog-eared corners. Handling Note: There are a few tiny, isolated age spots/handling marks on a small handful of page margins. These are strictly localized, completely non-widespread, and do not bleed into or obscure any text or historical combat photographs. There is a small tear on two of the pages on the edge of the pages and do not interfere with any text or picture. The paper block remains remarkably bright and fresh for an 80-year-old military volume.2. Preserved Internal Ephemera (1946 Field Documents)4th Marines Farewell Order (Sept 4, 1946): Authentic mimeographed document on mid-century military field stock. The text is fully legible and bold. The paper shows uniform light browning from natural aging and clean horizontal creases from original storage , small tears along the edges. The genuine ink signature of Captain R.A. Smith remains perfectly distinct. "The Breckinridge News" (Sept 30, 1946): Original shipboard homecoming publication. The vintage newsprint paper remains entirely stable. The full-page "Daily Position" map is remarkably well-preserved with no center splits or structural losses along the fold lines. 📋 Archival Summary for Buyers Because these rare field-issued documents were housed inside a tightly shut, high-grade hardback book for eight decades, they were completely shielded from UV exposure, humidity shifts, and environmental dust. This represents a level of preservation rarely seen in field-distributed Pacific Theater militaria.
*** Please look at all photos closely as they are part of the description and are meant to help determine the condition. Please reach out with any questions.
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### 📦 SHIPPING & HANDLING
Securely packaged in a sturdy box with moisture protection layers to preserve this incredible piece of history. Ships via media mail.
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