Letters from World War I

Letter Writing Culture

Letter writing culture was pervasive, with few other forms of communication readily available at the time. It inspired music, art, and literature and elevated the importance of simple paper and pens.


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Publication "To the American Soldier in France" for the American Expeditionary Forces from Adjutant General Robert C. Davis by command of General John J. Pershing, issued 1917

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The company promoted its fountain pens to customers on the home front as “suitable gifts” for military service members.

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The company promoted the qualities of its fountain pens that would appeal to men and women in uniform.

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The personalized “trench” pen may have been a going-away present for Private Alfred Abelson. June 4, 1918

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The writing kit belonged to Colonel B. Taylor, Headquarters, Motor Transport Corps, Advance Section.

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Sheet music composed by Ray Lawrence with lyrics by Bernie Grossman, published by Joe Morris Music Co., New York, NY, 1918

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Sheet music composed by James F. Hanley with lyrics by Joe Goodwin and Ballard MacDonald, published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., New York, NY, 1918

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The creators of Dere Mable and Dere Bill books told stories of a soldier and his sweetheart through their correspondence.


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Reading, writing, and typing at a Jewish Welfare Board recreation center, 1918
Image credit: National Archives

My Fellow Soldiers