SOE pencil dagger, silk escape maps and escape compasses

[Grimebox]

Another '3 colour' (Black, red, green) 'Bartholomew' map. This is the double-sided version showing Northern France (C) on one side and Southern France (D) on the other. It is shown with another 'D' map (with North Africa on the other side) to show the difference in size and shape.

[Grimebox]

All of the 'Bartholomew' C maps that I own:

Top: Double sided - C and D
Middle: Single sided C
Bottom: Mulberry leaf tissue (Note that it is about an inch wider than the other two maps showing more detail on the left hand side)

[Grimebox]

Map 'N' and 'O' of the Asiatic -Pacific Theater 44 Series.
This map is enormous to the extent that it is barely useable as an escape map. It measures 42'' x 33'' and is 'plasticy' in construction which makes it very difficult to fold and unfold. It is shown with map 'M' from the same 44 series for size comparison

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks for posting all of these. I think they are great.

Cheers, Ade.

[kindzjal]

These are great items!
Especialy the compasses

[Grimebox]

Many thanks for your comments Gentlemen.
Here's another escape compass - this one is American and made of brass

[Grimebox]

Map E and F of the European Theater 43 series

[Grimebox]

I now have all of the maps of the European Theater 43 series (although my A/B is very faded, I shall get a better example at some point!).
Apparently there is not an I/J map, although you never know what might appear!

I have shown the size difference in the maps, sheet G and H is the largest down to the smallest, Sheet K

[Grimebox]

Map E and F shown alongside the unissued, untrimmed single-sided Map E.
The untrimmed Map E appears lighter in colour and the blue is not as strong, there are also light patches around Berlin. I assume that the map was removed from the printing process prior to the final layer of colour being applied or it was at the end of the printing process and the ink was not as strong, hence it's removal and unfinished state.

[Scout]

Great collection! Thanks for posting.

Very rare (for me at least) to see so many SOE items in one collection.