Japanese WWII Dispatch Case-Nicely marked dark brown leather dispatch case. This has a black patch with Japanese Kanji patch on the reverse. This measures approx. 12” square, and 2 ½” wide when empty. There are several small pockets and compartments on the front under the flap for storing pens etc. Inside flap is stamped with Kanji markings as well. Brown leather straps are in place, along with buckles that are in good condition. The shoulder strap is in place, but is delicate and the end of that strap has broken off and is included in the bag. Desirable example!
This is part of the Charles Spilman collection, who brought these home from the Pacific theater where he was an embedded reporter. War Correspondent Charles H. Spilman, worked at the Providence Journal-Bulletin for over 42 years and had quite the storied career. He joined the newspapers in 1932 as a printer and became a reporter two years later. He retired in 1974. During his career there, he oversaw the reporters oversaw reporters and journalists and was instrumental in winning the newspaper its Pulitzer. It was the first time an entire newspaper staff was honored with a Pulitzer. During World War II, Spilman was a war correspondent in the Southwest Pacific and was “embedded” with the 43rd Division in the pacific, and sent dispatches home from New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, he returned safely to Rhode Island to continue his life, and actually went back to Asia in 1967 and covered operations in Vietnam when the war was in an early phase. Charles passed away in Rhode Island in April of 1981, at the age of 70.