Hi everyone, thought I would show a Princess Mary Gift Tin and contents.
Many of you will be very familiar with these boxes, but for those not familiar with them, these tins were given to British soldiers and sailors serving in war zones as a Christmas present from The Princess Mary in December 1914. Starting in the following year, they were ultimately also given to all other British troops, and were paid for by a public fundraising campaign. The tins came in a cardboard box (not shown) and had variable contents, some packed in the tin and some packed on top of the tin in the outer box. The tins usually contained pipe tobacco and cigarettes, and a Christmas card and photo of Princess Mary. In the cardboard box was usually a lighter and a pipe, (not shown) and a bullet pencil set (shown). There were also non smoker versions that contained such items as a stationary set and sweets. From 1915 a simplified set was issued consisting of just the tin, bullet pencil, Christmas card and photograph.
A postcard of the King and Queen was also received by troops along with the gift set. Sailors received a version with the King in Naval uniform (shown here) and soldiers received an army uniform version.
Shown here with other period personal items and small equipment.
Any comments welcome.
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