Sailor's toiletries with military booklet, secret hiding place .1878

Rare sailor's toiletry kit with military record book, secret hiding place, dated 1878

I'm offering you an exceptional object steeped in history: an elegant military toiletry case, dating from the late 19th century, complete, personalized, and magnificently preserved. A rare testament to the daily life of a French sailor and customs officer of the period. Dimensions of the closed box:
Length: 23 cm
Depth: 17 cm
Height: 7.5 cm
Weight: 1.1 kg

Exterior features:
Inlaid with gold letters: “Souvenir de la Marine”
Wooden marquetry with a typical geometric frieze
Initials “M L” (for Mathieu Louis) engraved in the upper left corner of the lid

Contents of the box:
Straight razor with ivory handle
Shaving brush (natural bristles)
Alum stone
Translucent soap
Antique comb
Metal soap dish
Whetstone
Hard leather case
Leather sharpening strap
Oval mirror integrated into the lid

Secret hiding place behind the mirror:
The mirror can be lifted to reveal a hidden compartment containing:
An old group photograph showing sailors in uniform
An original military booklet in the name of Louis Mathieu, born in Sénas on February 8, 1858, hired as a customs officer in 1881

The booklet – a period document rich in content:
Official Model Series E – Weights – Model 1 – 1878, it contains:

Handwritten physical description: blue eyes, brown hair, oval face
Enlistment dated April 1, 1881 in Marseille
Registrations of pay, supplies, assignments, and distributed items
Quotations of laws on smuggling, agents' equipment, and military obligations
Several hand-annotated pages with official signatures

A rare and memorable collector's item:
This box combines artisanal elegance, military history, and documentary value.
A gem for enthusiasts of:
19th-century militaria
French navy
antique administrative objects
customs and colonial memorabilia
folk art

Protected shipping
International shipping