Ace J A Meissner Cig Case

Hi All

I am new and was wondering if someone could help me with an item I came across. It is a wooden cigarette case with a great airplane inlaid. That makes it very interesting, but what makes it even more so is the inscription that someone scratched in the inside. The inside top lid reads "J A Meissner 147 Aero Squadron, USAS, France" and on the bottom of the lid it has 1916. This came out of a gentleman's WWII box. I was told he collected military items. Can anyone help me with this? Is there a way to authenticate it? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance! Julie & Gary

Here are some links to pictures:

Cigarette Case

Closeup of airplane

Back
Close up of inscription

Case opened

Inside lid

Another view of inscription HARD TO PHOTOGRAPH

[Patrick]

According to Norman Franks & Frank Bailey in their book Over The Front, James Armand Meissner was a Captain in the 94th and 147th Aeros, and an American Ace with 8 confirmed victories (some shared). He was born in Londonderry, Nova Scotia but must have emigrated to the US at some point because the article mentions that he came from Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Cornell University in 1917. After enlistment he went to France & was assigned to the 94th Pursuit Sqdn. on 03-17-1917. After a pretty hair-raising career with the 94th, he was given command of the 147th Pursuit Sqdn which he led 'til war's end. Died on 01-16-1936. He was awarded the DSC with an Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Croix de Guerre.

Obviously a notable American Ace, but I have no idea where the 1916 date comes from. I'm no expert on this kind of artifact (others here are), but it seems like it would be near-impossible to authenticate without a letter that mentions it specifically or a photo clearly linking it to Meissner, and a documented chain of possession (like family letters).

[Jim]

Unfortunately, I see 4 problems with your hope that it belonged to him:
1. The 1916 date makes no sense - it is too early.
2. If somehow the 1916 date could be explained, the USAS reference makes no sense as it was the ASSC at that time.
3. The style of script does not resemble what you usually see during that time period.
4. Even if you could explain away the 3 points above somehow, without exceptional provenance an item has no added value for being connected with a well known figure. By provenance this would mean that you would need to have a clear period photo of the guy actually holding it, or the original bill of sale of it to the guy, or you would need to have a notarized letter from his estate attesting that it belonged to him at that time.

[Bulldog90]

Hi,

I have to agree with my fellow forumites. While I'm no expert on the US air service, the 1916 date is glaringly wrong and may have been added later. An undergraduate at Cornell University, Meissner dropped out of school to join the United States Air Service in 1917. The US didn't really have any personnel in France until Spring of 1918, and Meissner joined his squadron in March. There is a book out called Hat in the Ring which gives a lot of info on Jimmy Meisner. You can find it in any Borders.

Bulldog

[Brad]

I don't see the 1916 date, but perhaps it is merely a date of manufacture, and not connected with the inscription at all? Even if it isn't valuable, it is a nice item!

[pmirl]

Check the 1916 and see if it is not 1918.

Originally Posted by pmirl

Check the 1916 and see if it is not 1918.

Nope, definitely 1916.

regards,

Darren