Great Britain Princess Mary Xmas tin 1914

[Jerry B]

A seaonal post with the anniversary of these tomorrow.

Sadly it is empty but they could come with tobacco and cigarettes and a pipe and lighter, a card or other versions with sweets for non smokers and spices for others were produced.

Showing mine with a period Xmas card and a mini Mons star medal trio.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Jerry B

[Brian Wolfe]

Merry Christmas Jerry and thanks for the seasonal post.

Regards

Brian

[Mervyn Mitton]

The Queen's Christmas broadcast had Her seated next to a side table - in Honour of the WW1 She had framed photographs of

King George 5th and of Queen Mary - who were of course Reigning at that time. In front of the Frames there's a 1914 Princess

Mary Christmas tin on a stand. A very thoughtful gesture. Mervyn

[Ian Shepherd]

Watch out for repro tins there are a lot about. I saw a dealer with 5 for sale recently. At least he was selling them as repro at £ 5 each. Ian

[Robin Lumsden]

I don't have a tin ................ but I do have this !!

[Robin Lumsden]

Mervyn.

I noticed these little details re. the speech as well.

Very thoughtful of those who organised the background décor.

Edited December 26, 2014 by Robin Lumsden

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - Robin. I thought it was a lovely speech - with mention of all the right people and organisations. She looks very

well for 88 - we must hope she has many years to go - I don't think I could face Camilla ! Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

[peter monahan]

I was able to get an original tin from out West [Canada] and two sets of replica contents: a packet each of tobacco and cigarettes, a Christmas Card frpm Princess Mary, a message from HRH King George and photos of he, his wife and Princess Mary. Bought them from an organization in the UK associated with one of the veterans' groups. A very nice packet for my 'Christmas in the Trenches' event two weeks ago.

[Robin Lumsden]

Agreed, Mervyn !!

[Tony]

I don't have a tin ................ but I do have this !!

I really like the bullet pencils, I'm not sure if all the tips were silver but I do know those stamped sterling fetch a premium. While sorting through some stuff recently I found one I didn't know I had, it made my day.

Tony

[Mervyn Mitton]

Tony - if you are a collector, then I think almost every day is like Christmas. I know I am always coming across items that

I had forgotten in drawers and cupboards. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

[IrishGunner]

Tony - if you are a collector, then I think almost every day is like Christmas. I know I am always coming across items that

I had forgotten in drawers and cupboards. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

The flip side is knowing you have something and not being able to find it to save your life. I have several medals that are "missing" since emptying the safe deposit box when we moved from Virginia. I think the wife put them someplace...

[Tony]

Tony - if you are a collector, then I think almost every day is like Christmas. I know I am always coming across items that

I had forgotten in drawers and cupboards. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

The older I get the more that seems to happen.

The flip side is knowing you have something and not being able to find it to save your life. I have several medals that are "missing" since emptying the safe deposit box when we moved from Virginia. I think the wife put them someplace...

so true, especially after a move.

Here's the pencil I didn't know/forgot I had, not as crisp as Robin's but has the Sterling stamp on its tip.

[peter monahan]

Lovely! I drool in envy!

Yes, I asked rhetorically on another forum a while back 'is it odd to open a random box in your garage and find a chapeau bras and a trench knife?" the joys of collecting. And forgetfulness!

[Jerry B]

Great to see the pencil's, though I know no matter how many boxes in my house I open that I will not find one, though I will almost certainly find some other items I had forgotten I have.

[paul kennedy]

Here's mine with some contents.

[Ulsterman]

what do the repro tins look like? When I was a kid these were common-25p at most. I knew old guys who still kept their cigarettes and tobacco in them.

[peter monahan]

Ulsterman - the repro. tins I've only seen on-line, as most of the sellers in the UK wouldn't ship to Canada but as far as one can tell from multiple shots on ebay they look much like the originals. My repro. contents look just like Paul's [originals?].

[Tony]

what do the repro tins look like? When I was a kid these were common-25p at most. I knew old guys who still kept their cigarettes and tobacco in them.

25p or 5 shillings? Wish I knew about them when they were that cheap.

I can’t find a photo but tins with 1914 in place of Princess Mary in the middle of the lid are, as far as I know, from India. These have been around a while, are nothing like the originals and probably not made to deceive.

Ha, found one on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1914-SOILED-BRASS-CHRISTMAS-BOX-NOT-THE-QUEEN-MARY-ONE-/221646920382?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item339b2f9abe

Then there’s the Daily Mail tin, I’ve only seen pictures online and on the surface they look pretty good however, a good clear photo will dispel any hopes of it being original and when opened it becomes obvious they haven’t made to deceive. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DAILY-MAIL-PRINCESS-MARY-CHRISTMAS-BOX-REPLICA-TIN-WW1-WORLD-WAR-ONE-/301449995705?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item462fd1e5b9

There are probably others but the above are the ones I know of.

I didn’t know originals were available on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Marys-Christmas-Gift-Decorative/dp/B00OLSVPWY

[Jerry B]

Here is one of the variant tins. On the Great War Forum it is claimed that they were a private purchase version made at the time, though others state that they are a modern (1970's) fake. Obviously they do not intend to directly mimic the originals as they are very different. The example I have is certainly of some age as it was very badly corroded inside and part of it is broken, though perhaps that merely reflects a poor quality manufacture.

[Tony]

That's interesting, I've never actually seen this type in the flesh and was told they're modern. Being plated isn't the sort of thing a faker would do to keep costs down so I'll have to keep my eyes open in future instead of just dismissing them.

Tony