This is an embroidered silk card from World War I, with the initials A.S.C.
Those letters could stand for any of the following:
American Society of Cinematographers
Artichoke Society of Canberra
Aeronautical Systems Center
Association of Society Cadavers
Ambulatory Surgical Center
In this case, the letters stand for the
Army Service Corps, although they were sometimes referred to as
Ally Sloper's Cavalry, after a contemporary rent-dodging, drunkard cartoon character. However, the truth is that this corps played a very important role in World War I. Their name was changed to the Royal Army Service Corps. in 1918.
The A.S.C. was responsible for transport and supply of food, equipment, munitions and other supplies on and off the battlefield. Although they were instrumental in winning the war, they are considered unsung heroes, because they rarely recognized for their importance.
Here's the back of the card. Silk cards from WWI were typically made in France.
Jo from Scotland recently posted some amusing old photos of the Royal Army Service Corps.
Click here to see them.