Commemorative Cigar Box (1920 England)

Silver and Brass

Hallmarked 1919

21.00cm wide    8.50cm high    15.00cm deep (8.27 inches wide  3.35 inches high  5.91 inches deep)

In November 1914, an advertisement was placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' which had been created by Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The purpose was to provide everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914 with a 'gift from the nation'.


The response was truly overwhelming, and it was decided to spend the money on an embossed brass box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey. The contents varied considerably; officers and men on active service afloat or at the front received a box containing a combination of pipe, lighter, 1 oz of tobacco and twenty cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets instead. Indian troops often got sweets and spices, and nurses were treated to chocolate. Many of these items were despatched separately from the tins themselves, as once the standard issue of tobacco and cigarettes was placed in the tin there was little room for much else apart from the greeting card

Silver cigar box inset with a brass Queen Mary Christmas tin lid and extensively engraved with the campaigns of the 2nd. and 7th. Cavalry Divisions. 1914-1918.

gbp 1950 (Pound Sterling)

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