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ULTRA-RARE 1918 WWI AEF GHQ INFANTRY CHRISTMAS ROSTER & MENU BOOKLET
MUSEUM-GRADE MILITARY EPHEMERA: PERSHING NERVE CENTER SOLE SURVIVOR
Up for sale is an absolute ghost of American military history—a confirmed unique, original World War I presentation booklet documenting the Christmas Day (December 25, 1918) dinner menu and complete named unit roster for the Headquarters Provisional Infantry Company stationed directly at General John J. Pershing’s A.E.F. G.H.Q. (General Headquarters) in Chaumont, France.
Issued exactly six weeks after the historic November 11, 1918 Armistice, this primary-source document serves as an elite institutional-grade time capsule from the historic day President Woodrow Wilson made his legendary holiday visit to the Chaumont base to review the troops.
THE 1973 NATIONAL ARCHIVES FIRE & HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This document is an irreplaceable genealogical and historical census. Because the catastrophic 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire in St. Louis permanently destroyed roughly 80% of all World War I Army personnel files, privately preserved company rosters like this are often the ONLY duplicate records left on Earth.
Unlike massive front-line divisions, this specialized provisional security and garrison unit was tiny (estimated 250–300 men total). The field print run executed by the headquarters press at Caserne Damrémont was microscopic, intended solely for the men on base that afternoon. Extensive online database and archival cross-referencing reveals NO OTHER COPY of this exact G.H.Q. booklet documented in any public or private collection globally.
COMPLETE HOLIDAY CENSUS & MENU CONTENT:
- Multi-Page Named Roster: Lists the entire operational command hierarchy by name and rank, providing vital data for medal researchers and genealogists. It begins with Captain Joseph P. Sternhagen (detailed specifically to organize this elite security company), followed by the unit's Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals, Cooks, Mechanics, Buglers, Privates First Class, and columns of Privates.
- The Holiday Menu: A fascinating micro-history of post-war soldier morale, listing luxury holiday rations including roast pork with bread dressing and brown gravy, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, creamed peas, apple cobbler, doughnuts, coffee, milk, nuts, chocolates, and issued cigarettes.
- Cover Artwork: Features a beautifully engraved holiday-themed front cover and an exceptional, highly stylized period cartoon on the reverse depicting a heavily equipped American Doughboy acting as Santa Claus.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Item: Original WWI A.E.F. G.H.Q. Company Christmas Menu & Roster Booklet
- Date of Event: December 25, 1918 (Post-Armistice Occupation Period)
- Unit: Headquarters Provisional Infantry Company, General Headquarters A.E.F.
- Nerve Center Location: Chaumont, France (Caserne Damrémont)
- Format: Original staple-bound booklet on heavy textured stock
- Dimensions: Approximately 8 inches x 5.25 inches (Closed)
VINTAGE ANTIQUE CONDITION REPORT:
- The 108-year-old military pamphlet remains in complete, structurally stable, and entirely original antique condition with crisp internal typography and no missing pages.
- Displays honest, century-plus vintage characteristics from wartime handling and storage, including natural paper age toning, scattered spotting, light creasing, and minor surface staining.
- The original binding staples remain firmly intact and secure.
- Completely untouched, uncleaned, and unrestored. Please review all high-resolution photos carefully to evaluate exact edge parameters, paper condition, and ink legibility.
SHIPPING & HANDLING DETAILS:
We specialize in shipping fragile historical assets, estate fine art, and rare paper ephemera. This unique WWI manuscript will be packaged flat with extreme care between multiple layers of thick, rigid backing boards and sealed inside a waterproof archival protective sleeve to guarantee it is 100% protected from bending, corner crushing, or moisture during transit. Delivered straight to your door with full tracking and insurance provided.
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