Original French WWI Wooden Typewriter Case With Painted Renault FT Light Tank on the Front – Formerly A.A.F. Tank Museum Collection Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a “trench art” typewriter box with a lovely French Renault FT Light Tank painted in a camouflage scheme on the front. While we cannot find a country of origin for the box, it is our belief that it is a French example. The typewriter experienced a massive transition in use from World War I to World War II. Beginning as a vital tool, especially in military settings, the transition to electric machines quickly developed into computers, and sent typewriters in an obvious decline in American usage.

The box came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser’s donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this box was acquired.

The box measures approximately 13 ¼” x 12” and is offered in wonderful condition. The exterior still retains nearly all original paint and artwork with minimal cracking in the wood. The latches on the sides still function properly and the handle is still completely attached.

A lovely example ready for further research and display.

The Renault FT (frequently referred to in post-World War I literature as the FT-17, FT17, or similar) was a French light tank that was among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The FT was the first production tank to have its armament within a fully rotating turret. The Renault FT’s configuration (crew compartment at the front, engine compartment at the back, and main armament in a revolving turret) became and remains the standard tank layout. Consequently, some armoured warfare historians have called the Renault FT the world’s first modern tank.

Over 3,000 Renault FT tanks were manufactured by France, most of them in 1918. After World War I, FT tanks were exported in large numbers. Copies and derivative designs were manufactured in the United States (M1917 light tank), in Italy (Fiat 3000), and in the Soviet Union (T-18 tank). The Renault FT saw combat during the interwar conflicts around the world but was considered obsolete at the outbreak of World War II.