Description
Physical description
Box, empty packet, tobacco, card & photo.
Brass box with hinged lid. Lid is decorated with embossed detail: in the center Princess Mary's head in profile surrounded by a wreath and with 'M' each side; in each corner the name of an ally (clockwise from top left) 'BELGIUM' 'JAPAN' 'MONTE-NEGRO' and 'SERVIA'; along top edge an image of a bayonet & scabberd with 'IMPERIUM' BRITANNICUM' in center; along bottom edge a plaque bearing 'CHRISTMAS 1914' with the bow of a Dreadnought each side; on both side edges is an image of 3 crossed flags with a disc in front bearing 'FRANCE' (left) and 'RUSSIA' (right). Empty packet (of cigarettes). Foil wrapped packet of tobacco. Cardboard inset. Christmas Card with coloured writing and holly motif and B/W photo of Princess Mary.
Label
A copy of this photograph of Princess Mary was included in each gift tin sent to British servicemen for Christmas 1914. The princess founded the Gift Fund that provided them, which had raised more than £160,000 by the time it closed in 1920.
History note
The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift to every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and contained tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe and lighter. For non-smokers writing paper and an pencil were provided. For Indian troops candy and spices were given instead of or in combination with cigarettes. After Christmas 1914 a surplus of funds enabled the scheme to be extended. A simpler gift was given out to all other servicemen ('Classes B & C') which consisted of a bullet pencil and a New Year card. See DEAF fact sheet or "A gift for Christmas: the story of Princess Mary's Gift Fund, 1914" by Diana Condell (IWM Review No.4 1989).
[1] embossed (around edges of lid -see desc)
[2] embossed (either side of head)
[3] printed (on empty packet)
[4] printed (on packet)
[5] printed (inside card)
[1] BELGIUM IMPERIUM BRITANNICUM JAPAN FRANCE RUSSIA SERVIA CHRISTMAS 1914 MONTE-NEGRO
[2] M M
[3] HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS MARY'S CHRISTMAS FUND 1914 CIGARETTES
[4] HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS MARY'S CHRISTMAS FUND 1914 TOBACCO
[5] With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year from The Princess Mary and Friends at Home