This is a vintage desktop pen box. It can store about 5 pens and has a secure lid with inlay (hard to see) and carving. No damage. 8'' long, 2cm deep. And any idea how much I paid for it? £0.99. Someone said something about recession?

To the right is the World War One Memorial Plaque. It was awarded to the next of kin of all those soldiers (from the British Empire) who were killed in action and was known as 'Dead Man's Penny'. Over a million were issued. The writing on the plaque reads: "He died for freedom and honour" and has the recepient's name engraved. This was awarded to the family of Alfred Thrussell, private. He "died of wounds" on September 13, 1916, and had served in the 6th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was born in Great Driffield. I paid £51 for this magnificent piece of history.

Along with these plaques came a letter from Buckingham Palace: "I join with my grateful peoplein sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War" -- George R.I. I've framed this letter along with the plaque.

There. Does that make you feel choky? No? Along with the letter informing the demise of the soldier and the posting of the medal came this scroll: "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let others who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten."

I don't have the original scroll and hope to find one soon.

Pens have not been neglected. Here are three Waterman lever-fillers.  These three cost me £20.86. Quite the bargain, I call it. And anyway, I took a dekko at the pen boxes the other day and found my collection quite lacking in the vintage Waterman department. So here's an attempt at remedying that.