Box, Christmas Gift, Princess Mary

This box was a brass or silver tin containing gifts intended to be distributed to all members of the armed forces of the British Empire on Christmas day 1914 during the First World War.

In October 1914, George V’s 17-year-old daughter, Mary, Princess Royal, launched an appeal to fund every member of the armed forces receiving a Christmas gift. 

Box, Christmas Gift, Princess Mary  - image1

Each tin was decorated with Mary’s image and was filled with an ounce of tobacco, cigarettes, a lighter, and a Christmas card and photograph from Princess Mary. Some contained sweets, chocolates, and lemon drops. Eventually, four variations of the gift were designed.

Distribution: The boxes were intended for “every sailor and every soldier on Christmas day 1914, but eligibility was soon extended to everyone “wearing the King’s uniform on Christmas day”. While around 426,000 were delivered by Christmas, distribution was not completed until 1920 by which time approximately 2.5 million had been delivered.

Box, Christmas Gift, Princess Mary  - image2 Dimensions: whole: length 130mm, width 87mm, height 27mm.

CSS Virtual Museum
Feedback Form

Before you leave, please take a moment to share your feedback on the CSS Virtual Museum.

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop