Beschreibung:

• Trench Art cigarette box created in July 1944 by the Jewish-Polish soldier Artur Goldblum, who fought with the Allied 'Polish 2nd Corps' against the Nazis in Italy in 1944. Wood, pearloid, aluminium. Artur Goldblum (1902-?) was a Polish-born Jew who fled from the Nazis and joined the 'Polish 2nd Corps', a unit of the 'Polish Armed Forces in the West' (the Polish military forces consisting of exiled Poles and others who fled from Poland at the beginning of World War II and fought alongside the Western Allies against Nazi Germany and its allies). Goldblum served as a Lance Corporal in the 35 Workshop Company. In May 1944, he participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. Following their victory, his unit relocated to the town of Castelfidardo, where he created this work of Trench Art. The front of the box is decorated with an engraved image of the ‘Battle of Castelfidardo Monument’. Below the engraving is an embedded piece of cut aluminum that reads, “3.7.44 – Castelfidardo Italia.” Above the engraving is a second embedded piece of cut aluminium, which reads “Crucianelli” (a Castelfidardo-based accordion manufacturer). The of the box is decorated with hand-cut and fabricated celluloid emblems of the various units comprising the Polish 2nd Corps, among them the emblem of Goldblum’s unit, the Polish Army coat of arms, a Star of David, and the initials A.G. [Artur Goldblum]. • Included is the Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross medal awarded to Goldblum in June 1944 in recognition of his participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino. For additional information see enclosed material. Box: 9X12.5 cm. Good condition. Two emblems missing on the of the box. Medal: 4X4 cm. Original ribbon.