A vintage original Princess Mary Christmas gift tin from 1914. The tin comes complete with it's full original contents, the Christmas card, photograph, one ounce of tobacco & twenty cigarettes. All in excellent condition with no cigarettes missing & the tobacco completely sealed. The tin is in excellent condition also with no dents, just a little stiff to open. A truly excellent example of a piece of British history.
 
On October 14th 1914, the Princess Mary's Christmas Gift Fund was launched with subsequent advertisements placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a "Sailors and Soldiers Christmas Fund". Created by Princess Mary, the 17 year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, its purpose was to provide everyone on Active Service on Christmas Day with a "gift from the nation".The Fund's committee decided to spend this to produce an embossed brass tin box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey. This would include a Christmas Card (with photo) from the Princess and contents. Officers and Men On Active Service afloat or at the Front ('Class A') received a tin containing a combination of pipe, tinder lighter, an ounce of tobacco and twenty cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers received a bullet pen/pencil, a packet of acid tablets and a khaki canvas stationery pouch, lined, with two compartments containing writing paper and envelopes.
 
Weight
189 grams
 
Dimensions
130mm x 85mm x 31mm