This unopened, “Sheaffer’s Voyager” cylindrical cardboard tube holds V-mail stationery. The text above the blank mailing label lists the canister’s contents: “Postmaster may open for postal inspection – contents: V-mail letter forms – 2 oz. v-black Skrip -- Fineline leads – pen wiper – calendar – pen care instructions.”
The Sheaffer Pen Company manufactured specialty inks during World War II for use with V-mail. After being filled out, stationery forms for V-mail (victory) underwent a microfilming process in efforts to control mail volumes being sent to troops overseas. Nearly 2000 letters could be reduced and fit on a single roll of 16mm film. The rolls were flown to receiving stations for processing where individual facsimiles of the letter sheets were then reproduced at a quarter of the original size. The miniaturized mail was then delivered to its destination.
