This just in: These carved wooden souvenir photograph frames, featuring a lifebuoy (life preserver) design inscribed "SHANGHAI" and "CHINA," with elements like an eagle, anchor, foliage, and British Union Jacks (as in your example), were a popular type of expatriate or military/naval keepsake produced in Shanghai during the era of the International Settlement. They served as tourist or remembrance items for foreign residents, sailors, soldiers, or visitors—often British, American, or other Westerners—stationed in or passing through Shanghai. The nautical theme (life ring, anchor) fits the port city's maritime and international character, where British influence was strong. From antique listings and sales records: - Examples are commonly dated or attributed to the WWI era / 1910s–1920s (e.g., a U.S. Navy-related one linked to around 1917, when American naval presence increased in Chinese ports). - Others are described as 1930s or 1940s vintage (e.g., a 1940s carved wood example with similar eagle, anchor, and life preserver motifs). - At least one dealer explicitly sells a near-identical "Shanghai China Carved Wooden Souvenir Photograph Frame" as a collectible from that period, without a precise start date but consistent with early-to-mid 20th-century production. These appear to have been handmade or small-batch crafted locally in Shanghai for the foreign community, likely starting in the late 1910s or early 1920s (post-WWI, amid growing expatriate and military traffic) and continuing through the 1930s. The design's British flags and style align with the peak of the Shanghai International Settlement's foreign concessions (which ended in 1943). Your assumption of 1930s vintage is reasonable and matches several similar examples. They weren't mass-factory produced like Black Forest cuckoo clocks but more artisanal souvenirs, possibly by local Chinese woodcarvers catering to Western tastes (similar to other export crafts from treaty ports). The photo of Brigadier Ernest Brander Macnaghten (a prominent figure: British officer, later Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council 1930–1932) is a later addition, as you noted—he fits the 1920s–1930s timeframe perfectly. If you have more details (e.g., maker marks on the back), that could narrow it further, but based on comparable antiques, first manufacture for sale in Shanghai likely began around the 1910s–1920s, with production peaking in the 1920s–1930s.

The item in your photos is a vintage matchbox cover (or slip/sleeve for a standard matchbox), not a cigarette case or tin. It features the famous quote from Winston Churchill's speech to the House of Commons on August 20, 1940, during the Battle of Britain: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." The full text on it matches the introductory gratitude to the British airmen (RAF pilots and crews) who were defending against the Luftwaffe. This patriotic item was produced in Britain around 1940 or shortly after, as a morale-boosting piece tied directly to the speech and the ongoing air war. The quote became iconic immediately, and such commemorative items (including matchbox covers, posters, and similar ephemera) were made during WWII to honor "The Few" (RAF fighter pilots). Examples of these RAF matchbox covers with the exact quote are documented in militaria sales and collections, often described as circa 1940 British-made. Age: It's approximately 85 years old (from 1940–mid-1940s wartime production).

My contribution: a set acquired separately after obtaining the photo of the Bersagliere.

It was truly a pleasant surprise. Sometimes the “gods of militaria” guide the steps of their devotees. lol

What an amazing find. The original poster hasn’t visited the site in one and a half years. You could send them a message which should send a posting to their email. The best way to get their attention is to make a substantial offer. This is an historic find on its own merit especially in the collecting community.

Hello, AH (Jock) Pringle was my uncle. My cousins and I are desperate to get hold of this tunic. We never dreamed we'd be able to get hold of such an item. There must be a great story as to how it came to be in Japan. It would have been left at Jock's base at Mersing on the east coast of Malaysia when they were called into action in January 1942. It was probably souvenired by a Japanese soldier after the base was abandoned by the Australians in their haste to halt the Japanese advance. I'd be willing to pay a fair price for it as it is a priceless family heirloom. If anyone knows how I can contact 'Kookaburra' please let me know either here or at gipringle@gmail.com, or both. Thanks in advance, Graeme I. Pringle

Here's a find, the applying  of the  new NSDAP Eagle Decals and no doubt the new Tricolor Shield on the other side at the unit level,  this being after April 1934, the date the new insignia is adopted and then is issued out. Unit here is the Prussian 7th Infantry Regiment, the troops are still wearing though the Weimar insignia caps with no breast eagle, the new ones come out after May 1934 for wear as per the Decree of February 17, 1934,which was  effective from May 1, 1934.

Here is the rough, machine translated, (google translate) text of the card. A message from the Captian of the voyage to the passengers thanking them for joining him and the crew on the maiden voyage of the ship. one interesting note.  Captain Petersen wasn't the original Captain but a replacement for the Gustloff. He would also serve as her Captain on the ships last voyage. In an ironic twist, the maiden voyage was the last voyage of it's  SS officer tour leader. He would commit suicide shortly after returning to port.

Hello,I have had this for some time...been packing up to move and had forgotten about it...I assume it was made during or directly after the war but there is no date,juat a 'Made In Britain " on it....i thought it was pretty unique item commemorating a sometimes forgotten battle of such importance....anyone else have any info on these???...Thanks,Scott

A bunch of Arte Johnson screen shots from Rowan & Martin Laugh in TV show. Looks like the Jewish celebrities were given the option to appear without the swaz. 

A Landsturm Soldat with French POWs 1915, the Landsturm Shako looking good, looks to be armed with the M1888 Gewehr. Movie is the 1937 The Grand Illusion.

A Lend Lease Churchill speeds past a destroyed German Armored Car of the 19th Panzer Division's  Recon Battalion, Khakov Region like April 1943.