Stewarts

Military Antiques
& 19th Century Photography
Search Military Antiques:
Search By Country:
****SALE ITEMS**** Anti-Axis Antique Firearms Antique Toys, Cannons, Soldiers, Etc Arizona Territorial & Old West Artifacts Automotive Antiques, Sportscar Aviation Wings Cloth Metal Award Documents Bayonets Bayonets British Bayonets German Bayonets Japanese Bayonets Other Bayonets US Books & Manuals Books & Manuals, Unit Histories Buckles Civil War-Indian War-SAW Daggers Equipment Equipment British Equipment German Equipment Japanese Equipment Other Equipment US Equipment Soviet Flags Franco-Prussian War German Luger P08 Accessories German Stickpins German Tinnies German WWI Patriotic Plates Gift Certificates Headgear Headgear British Headgear German Headgear Japanese Headgear Other Headgear US Helmets Helmets British Helmets German Helmets Japanese Helmets Other Helmets US Homefront ID Books Identity Tags Insignia Cloth Insignia Cloth British Insignia Cloth German Insignia Cloth Japanese Insignia Cloth Other Insignia Cloth US, Patches, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Insignia Cloth US Rank, Shoulder Straps, Chevrons Insignia Cloth, US, Hat Insignia & Cap Cords Insignia Metal Insignia Metal British Insignia Metal German Insignia Metal Japanese Insignia Metal Other Insignia Metal US Insignia Metal US Marine Corps Insignia Metal US, Collar Emblems Insignia Metal US, Distinctive Unit Insignia, DUI Insignia Metal US, Hat Insignia Insignia Metal US, Rank Insignia Insignia Metal US, Sweetheart Emblems, Jewelry Japanese Reproduction K98 Mauser Stocks & Accessories Knives M1 Carbine Accessories Medals Medals British Medals German Medals Japanese Medals Other Medals Soviet Medals US Medals US, Civil War Through World War I Medals US, Post WWI Through WWII Medals US, Post WWII-Korea-Vietnam-Current Medals US, Qualification & Marksmanship Badges Medals US, Reference Books Military Maps Ordnance Original Artwork Paper Items Patriotic Pillow Covers Personal Items Photo Albums Photography Pickelhauben Polish Regimental Badges Postcards Propaganda Leaflets Sake Cups Silver Coins Stick Pins Sweetheart, Patriotic Jewelry, Other Swords Swords British Swords French Swords German Swords Japanese Swords Other Swords US Trench Art Uniforms Uniforms British Uniforms Children Uniforms German Uniforms Japanese Uniforms Other Uniforms US Uniforms Women

British WWI, Princess Mary Tin, Christmas 1914, Greeting Card Identified
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $115.00

British WWI, Princess Mary Tin, Christmas 1914, Greeting Card Identified
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $115.00

Original era manufacture. 5x3x1" brass box with the profile of Princess Mary on the lid. At one, time tins like these were filled with either tobacco or chocolate and were presented to the British troops at Christmas in 1914. In November 1914, an advertisement was placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' which had been created by Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The purpose was to provide everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1915 with a 'gift from the nation'. The response was truly overwhelming, and it was decided to spend the money on an embossed brass box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey. The contents varied considerably; officers and men on active service afloat or at the front received a box containing a combination of pipe, lighter, 1 oz of tobacco and twenty cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets instead. Indian troops often got sweets and spices, and nurses were treated to chocolate. Many of these items were dispatched separately from the tins themselves, as once the standard issue of tobacco and cigarettes was placed in the tin there was little room for much else apart from the greeting card The 'tin' itself was approximately 5" long by 3 " wide by 1 " deep with a double-skinned, hinged, lid.The surface of the lid depicts theprofile of Princess Mary in the centre, surrounded by a laurel wreath and flanked on either side by the 'M' monogram. At the top, a decorative cartouche contains the words 'Imperium Britannicum' with a sword and scabbard either side. On the lower edge, another cartouche contains the words 'Christmas 1914', which is flanked by the bows of battleships forging through a heavy sea. In the corners, small roundels house the names of the Allies: Belgium, Japan, Montenegro and Servia; France and Russia are at the edges, each superimposed on three furled flags or standards. Denting to the surface from age and handling, no cracks or tears in the brass, and the lid closes properly. Inside the tin at the time of our purchase, was an original Christmas greeting card which formed part of the contents back in 1915.


Photos of British WWI, Princess Mary Tin, Christmas 1914, Greeting Card Identified