Description
Physical description
box, cigarettes, tobacco
brass box (L 12.8cm x W 8.4cm x D 3 cm) with hinged lid. The lid bears embossed decoration: in the centre -Princess Mary's head in profile surrounded by a wreath and with the letter 'M' each side. In each corner of the lid is the name of a British ally (clockwise from top left): 'BELGIUM', 'JAPAN', 'MONTE-NEGRO', and 'SERVIA'; the top horizontal edge of the lid is decorated with a bayonet and scabbard with 'IMPERIUM' BRITANNICUM' at the centre; along bottom edge a plaque bearing 'CHRISTMAS 1914' with the bow of a Dreadnought each side; each vertical edge is adorned with three crossed flags with a disc in front bearing 'FRANCE' (left) and 'RUSSIA' (right). Box contents: standard foil wrapped packets of tobacco and cigarettes (packet of 16 of 20)
Label
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 comprised an ornate embossed brass box containing tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe and lighter, Christmas card and photograph of Princess Mary. For non-smokers writing paper and a pencil were provided. For Indian troops sweets 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 and C'), which consisted of a bullet pencil and a New Year card. The contents of this particular 'smoker's' gift box are no longer complete and comprise cigarettes, tobacco and card. See online exhibition, 'Princess Mary's Gift to the Troops, Christmas 1914: http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.99
For published article see: 'A gift for Christmas: the story of Princess Mary's Gift Fund, 1914' by Diana Condell (IWM Review No.4 1989).
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 a pencil were provided. For Indian troops sweets 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 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.