Unusual WW2 Souvenir Desk Tidy made from Recovered Oak from London Blitz 1940-41

Here on offer is a WW2 souvenir desk tidy made from recovered oak, from the London Blitz 1940-41.

During and shortly after the Blitz, several organizations, most notably the London Stonecraft Company were officially commissioned to create mementos from the debris of prominent bombed buildings like the Houses of Parliament.

While many of these souvenirs were made from salvaged limestone and lead, some were also crafted from bombed oak recovered from historic sites, such as the Naval & Military Club.

Salvaged materials were turned into functional household objects like bookends, inkwells, ashtrays, letter racks and in this case a pen/pencil holder or desk tidy.

These souvenirs were sold to the public to raise funds for war aid, specifically for HRH The Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Fund.

This unusual and authentic piece has the remains of a label on the bottom, that states:

SOUVENIR
The Oak from which this
article is made, was taken
from a bombed site

Sadly, the lower section of the label is now missing, but it may have indicated the origin of the "bombed site" or a specific historic building?

The desk tidy is in great condition, with smooth curved edges to the tops of each side.

It measures 4.8” (12.3cm) high and is 2.8” (7.2cm) square at the base.

It weighs 126g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52296