*British, WW1-1914, Princess Mary Christmas Gift Tin, with Cigarettes, Tobacco, Card & Photograph*
A superbly complete example of the famous Princess Mary Christmas Gift Fund tin, issued to British and Imperial troops in 1914. The brass tin measures approximately 13 cm x 8.7 cm x 2.6 cm and is embossed on the lid with the bust of HRH Princess Mary within a laurel wreath, flanked by the letter “M” to either side. It bears the inscriptions “Imperium Britannicum,” “Christmas 1914,” and the names of allied nations: “France,” “Russia,” “Belgium,” “Japan,” “Servia,” and “Montenegro.”
This remarkable set includes both original yellow paper-wrapped packets: one containing four cigarettes (each stamped with the royal cypher “M” under a crown), and one containing loose tobacco, still partly filled and wrapped in its decorative silver-embossed foil liner. Also present is the original printed Christmas card bearing the red royal cypher and dated 1914 on the cover. Inside is the iconic message: “With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year from The Princess Mary and Friends at Home”, complete with holly decoration. Additionally, a sepia-tone photographic portrait of Princess Mary is included, depicting her seated in formal dress and signed “Mary”.
Background
The Princess Mary Gift Fund box, an embossed brass box with hinged lid, was created in 1914 as part of a national appeal led by Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. Her aim was to provide “every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front” with a personal Christmas gift, offering comfort and a sense of connection to home during the harsh first winter of the Great War. Initially intended for those serving overseas or at sea, distribution soon extended to all serving personnel, prisoners of war, and the next of kin of 1914 casualties. In total, approximately 2,620,019 recipients were reached. The campaign raised £162,591 12s 5d, with remaining funds later supporting Queen Mary’s Maternity Home, established for the benefit of service families.
The contents of the boxes varied to suit different needs and faiths. Smokers typically received cigarettes and tobacco; non-smokers received sweets or a bullet pencil; Sikhs and other Indian troops received sweets and spices instead of tobacco; nurses were given chocolate. Supply shortages led to some improvised gifts such as tobacco pouches, shaving brushes, and alternate small items. Sailors, for example, received a bullet pencil bearing Princess Mary’s monogram rather than the originally planned lighter.
Princess Mary’s original appeal movingly expressed her vision:
“I want you now to help me to send a Christmas present from the whole of the nation to every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front. I am sure that we should all be happier to feel that we had helped to send our little token of love and sympathy on Christmas morning, something that would be useful and of permanent value, and the making of which may be the means of providing employment in trades adversely affected by the war. Could there be anything more likely to hearten them in their struggle than a present received straight from home on Christmas Day? Please will you help me?”
*Condition*
The brass tin remains in very good condition overall with light patina and scattered surface marks. The cigarette pack shows minor creasing and tears but retains bright colour and partial contents. The tobacco packet is intact though creased, with foil liner present and contents partially full. The card and photo are clean and legible with minor spotting. An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a set retaining its fragile original contents and accompanying ephemera. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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