China, Republic. A Pilot's Visor Cap and Two Photos, c.1943

Visor cap is fabricated from greenish-khaki wool and designed with a traditional high peak. There are two brown painted metal eyelets placed on either side, to aid in ventilation. The front is adorned with a 73 mm (w) x 60 mm (h) Republic of China Air Force Cap Badge, illustrating the sun in silvered bullion wire, in various textures, on a light blue embroidered field and incorporating a blue embroidered border, framed by gold-coloured bullion wire wings on either side, in various textures, all on a black wool base. Two brown synthetic straps create the chin strap, with holes at the ends, secured on both sides by bronze gilt buttons bearing the Republic of China sun insignia. The flat visor incorporates a thick stiffener, the upper with a brown synthetic covering, the underside of the visor in olive green cotton. Inside, the cap has a 42 mm wide brown synthetic sweatband stitched in place, the side wall of the cap lined in white cotton, the dome lined in steel blue rayon, with a manufacturer's mark having faded away, the cap measuring 260 mm in diameter x 120 mm in height. There is wear evident in the olive green cotton on the underside of the visor, the sweatband coming away from the body of the rear of the cap, however, the cap is free of mothing. Accompanied by three Photographs: first photo of a young pilot, c. 1945 (black and white, faded to a sepia-toned look, gloss finish, measuring 39 mm (w) x 52 mm (h), housed under glass within a 92 mm (w) x 131 mm (h) wooden frame, with hook for wall hanging, the easel on the back broken); second photo with a Statue of Chiang Kai-shek, c. 1948 (black and white, matte finish, measuring 55 mm (w) x 82 mm (h)); and third photo illustrating a group of thirteen, featuring ten soldiers and airmen, along with a woman and two young children, c. 1948 (black and white, pebbled matte finish, measuring 142 mm (w) x 98 mm (h), matted, marked "DIH MIE STUDIO" on the matte and measuring 210 mm (w) x 167 mm (h)). Very fine.