*British, Ww1-1914, Princess Mary Christmas Gift Tin, with Original Envelope, Printed Christmas Greeting Card, Portrait Card, Unopened Tobacco Packet & Empty Cigarette Packet*
An original First World War Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Gift Fund tin, retaining an excellent group of contents. The gilt brass rectangular tin displays the well-known design with profile portrait and crowned monograms, inscribed “Christmas 1914,” with allied nations represented in the border decoration.
Included with the tin are the original cream envelope, the official printed Christmas greeting card, and the portrait card of Princess Mary. The greeting card bears the printed message: “With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year from The Princess Mary and Friends at Home.”
Also present is an unopened packet of tobacco in its original yellow wrapper and an empty but well-preserved packet for cigarettes, both marked “Her Royal Highness The Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914.”
This represents a very strong surviving grouping, as these sets were frequently broken up over time, with cards and paper inserts usually separated or lost.
Approx. Measurements – 13 cm x 8.7 cm x 2.6 cm.
Historical Note:
The Princess Mary Gift Fund was established in late 1914 under the patronage of Princess Mary, daughter of King George V, with the aim of sending a Christmas gift to all serving British and Imperial forces during the first winter of the Great War. Over two million tins were produced and issued to soldiers and sailors across the Empire, becoming one of the most iconic morale items of WW1.
Contents varied depending on recipient and supply: many troops received tobacco and cigarettes, while non-smokers, nurses, or boys serving at the front might receive sweets, writing materials or other alternatives. The enclosed greeting card and portrait were intended as a personal message of support from home, reinforcing morale during the difficult winter campaign of 1914–15.
Complete or near-complete examples with original paper ephemera and tobacco packet are increasingly desirable to collectors, as paper components were fragile and often discarded.
*Condition*
The tin retains good overall detail with honest period wear and age toning consistent with storage and handling. The paper envelope shows light age staining and handling marks but remains intact. The printed Christmas card is clean and legible with only minor age-related toning. The portrait card survives well with light surface wear. The tobacco packet remains unopened; the cigarette packet is empty but structurally very well preserved with clear printing. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
WW1 Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin – complete with card, envelope, portrait, unopened tobacco packet and original cigarette wrapper.
