WWII 1945 Handmade Paris Photo Album - Gift from Signal Corps Soldier to His Wife

Souvenir photo album purchased by a soldier for his wife and stored in his battalion's photo equipment supply, paired with the soldier's original letter describing that exact recovery. Letter is signed "Leo," addressed to "Doris" - no surnames present.

THE ALBUM

• Hand-colored pen-and-ink illustration of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, on celluloid or early plastic film
• Celluloid/film layer hand-laced around the border onto heavy dark flocked backing paper
• Interior pages blank (soldier intended recipient to add her own photos)
• Handwritten fountain pen inscription, first interior page: "To Doris from Leo from Paris 1945" — note the final digit of "1944" is traced over to read "1945," matching the letter's dated correction
• Size: 12 3/8" x 11"

THE LETTER

• Dated January 25, 1945; lined paper, 10 3/8" x 8"
• Addressed "My Darling," signed "All my love Leo"
• Opens referencing enclosed lace (no longer present): "Here is the album & lace I said I'd send you so long ago. The lace is a bit dirty but I think you could clean it. Besides, it didn't cost much so it won't matter if you don't use it."
• Continues with direct provenance for the album itself: "The album I've been carrying around in the battalion photo equipment & forgot about it until last week when we went to the bottom of one of the boxes and lo — there it was! I think it rather pretty & if you put the pictures of France in it well spaced you might fill it nicely - if not perhaps I have some negs I can get some more prints from. Official ones - "
• Closes with "Gotta wrap this now - so bye for now - All my love Leo"
• Condition: clean, fully intact, legible throughout

CONTEXT
Content indicates the soldier served with a battalion photographic equipment/darkroom unit, consistent with Signal Corps or Air Force reconnaissance photo processing operations in the European Theatre (unit not confirmed by surviving documentation).

CONDITION
Authentic used vintage condition. Small stable crack in celluloid front cover at a lacing hole, consistent with natural celluloid brittleness with age. Also a bit of age or water staining on the front cover.Light edge toning/wear on blotter paper pages consistent with transport in a battalion equipment box. Letter clean and fully legible. Sold as-is.