Between the Covers

Unbound. A collection of 209 letters from 1914 through 1924 from a young man sailor writing home to his wife with some later correspondence. Near fine with small tears and some age toning, most on the envelopes.

The majority of the letters are written from Garnett Blair Martin to his wife, India Faye Martin (née Gentry), with some written from India to Garnett while he was serving in the Navy during World War I. He was stationed in several different base camps and moved around frequently as the letters are from various places in the United States including Missouri, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington DC, Kansas, New York, among others.

A large portion of the letters are holiday and birthday cards, along with a few postcards sent to Martin’s daughter explaining he will be home soon. However, most of the letters are written affectionately to Martin’s wife and with her letters replying in kind. Some of the letters discuss Martin’s experience at the army bases from packing and moving constantly to having physical ailments such as poor eyesight, sores, and cuts. He also critiques the living situations while at war, “it’s cold and cramped here, I can’t even smoke a cigarette without blowing it in someone’s face.” Most of the letters somehow find a way back to lovelorn acclamations to his wife about how, “a sweet kiss from your dear lips could cure it soon.” Accompanied by a few letters and postcards from friends.

A collection of romantic correspondence from a wife and husband separated during the World War.

Item #426129