Princess Mary's gift tin 1914

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, I have wanted to obtain one of these for many years, but I have desired a good condition example which retained it's original gilding over the brass metal which the tins are made of. Most have been heavily polished over the last 90 odd years. I was at a vintage vehicle show a few weeks ago and finally found one in the condition I was looking for and at the right price. In the craft tent of all places! It even has a few tiny traces of tobacco inside.

I do have one promised to me by a family member but it might be many years before that comes to me.

For more info about these tins and the history behind them, please see this link:

http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.994/setPaginate/No#page1

There are a least seven known makers variations to the dies used to make the tin.

Cheers, Ade.

[scott powell]

great example!
i love the Princess Mary Tins,and the idea of giving the troops in the field a present fom the monarchy is classic sign of the times.
i have two,one in pretty decent condition,and one thats pretty well worn. i display them with one of my trios,and the contents of the tin( i believe the contents may be reproductions)

[MRomanych]

That is interesting. The first I ever heard of these tins was in Afghanistan when a colleague bought one in Kabul. He was sharp enough to recognize it for what it was. As I recall, it still had a thin waxy-type of wrapping paper inside. He had no explanation for how it could have gotten to Kabul. He bought it for a cheap price, although he had to serve 18 months in Afghanistan...price enough for a nice historical piece.