*British, WW1, Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Gift Fund Box*
Length 13cm x 8.5cm x 2.5cm.
The lid is embossed with the bust of HRH Princess Mary in a wreath with the letter “M” to either side and the following text “Imperium Britannicum”, “Christmas 1914”, “France”, “Russia”, “Belgium”, “Japan”, “Servia” and “Montenegro”.
The Princess Mary Gift Fund box, an embossed brass box with a hinged lid, originally contained various items like tobacco and chocolate. It was distributed as a Christmas present in 1914 to those serving and was funded by Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. Her wish was for “every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front” to receive the gift. Initially intended for those serving overseas or at sea, the distribution later extended to all serving personnel, prisoners of war, and the next of kin of 1914 casualties, totaling approximately 2,620,019 recipients. The total eventually subscribed amounted to £162,591 12s 5d and the sum remaining after the boxes was was transferred to Queen Mary’s Maternity Home founded by the Queen for the benefit of the wives and infants of sailors, soldiers and airmen of the newly formed Royal Air Force.
There were different versions of the gift contents, including items for smokers, non-smokers, Sikhs, Indian troops, and nurses. Due to supplier issues, substitute gifts like bullet pencil cases, tobacco pouches, shaving brushes, and others were hurriedly bought to meet demand. Sailors received a bullet pencil with Princess Mary’s monogram instead of the lighter originally planned.
“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*
Good used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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