May 29, 2022

The World of Churchill Collectables: Arabic Pocket Mirror

By BRIAN KRAPF

While this column has featured wartime pocket mirrors in the past, this is a recently acquired, unique example that deserves to be shared. It is made of a print on a 2 ½” round disc of heavy paper with a mirror glued on the back. The simple and unsophisticated construction of this piece indicates that it was likely made in Egypt, since it closely resembles other cheaply made wartime souvenirs produced there.

The Arabic writing suggests that it was produced to commemorate both the Cairo Conference of 22–26 November 1943 and the following Tehran Conference of 28 November through 1 December. These two allied conferences were held back-to-back, with Churchill and Roosevelt attending both and Stalin attending only the second. Given the close proximity in time, it would certainly be more practical and efficient to produce the one item to commemorate both conferences.

While this pocket mirror was cheaply produced, it should not be disregarded as a piece of tat or dismissed as an unworthy collectible. Just the opposite holds true. Few have likely survived; this is the first example I have seen in 30+ years of collecting Churchilliana. The fact that we can determine its origins and why it was made add value to the piece and firmly establish it as a historic collectible. If you ever discover one in your search for Churchilliana, buy it with confidence and know it is a rare and significant item.

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Brian Krapf’s forthcoming book We Want Winston!—A Treasury of Memorabilia will be published later this year.