AC421: Sheaffer's Voyager for V-Mail.

Date: c1940s

Size: Length - 8 3/4 inches; diameter - 3 inches.

What a find this is.  I have never before seen one of these "in the flesh" and I suspect I may never see another.  This is an unopened V-Mail cannister from the 1940s.  It waas designed to be sent to a friend or relative in the armed forces so they could write back on the special V-Mail forms.  These would then be photographed and put onto microfilm and then onto an aeroplane to be flown home.  The whole process would take one to  two weeks, which was much faster than sending a normal letter by land and sea.  The cannister itself is still in remarkable condition, with just a little grubbiness on the outside.  There are no tears in the paper covering, it is still sealed around the centre, and the colours in the printing are still good.  On the top is a tiny white sticker with "RETAIL PRICE CEILING $1.00" printed on it.  There is a sace on the side for writing the recipient's name and address, and also for who sent it.  The contents of this cannister are:  V-mail letter forms, 2 oz. V-Black Skrip ink, Fineline leads, pen wiper, calendar, and pen care instructions.