Wooden Box, Love Letter & Seashells 1944 France (Soldier & DRK Nurse)

Carved wooden box with a love letter and seashells. The inside of the lid says Frankreich am 28.1.1944. It is addressed to Annelies. The craving of an old lady on lid reminds me of some classic Renaissance paintings. The box has some wood worm holes and the joint that mates the back hinge panel to the body is loose and could use a little glue. Inside the box are a love letter, some seashells (one with the place it was from taped inside), a small elephant charm and a bit of lace. All of these things were in the box when I bought it.

The letter is dated 4. July 1943 written by the soldier to his girlfriend in the DRK. The first page: "Your Führerin [from context: DRK-Wachtführerin] came to the sentry with 16 of your Kameradinnen [DRK nurses]. Lothar is the duty officer, there's a Mexican band playing and it's going to be a great night!" And the rest of the letter is sugary sweet love talk and saying "It was a pity we weren't alone the last time we met...".