Lot 125
- 125
Princess Mary's Christmas gift to servicemen 1914
Estimate
500 - 800 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- cigarettes, brass, various non restricted bits and bobs
- 45cm. high, 46cm. wide; 1ft. 5¾in., 1ft 6in.
comprising a brass box, two packets of cigarettes, a pipe, portraits of King George V, Queen Mary and Princess Mary and three greeting cards, framed
Condition
An evocative object. The individual items are behind a glazed frame and have not been inspected individually. They appear to be distressed, commensurate with age and use.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
In November 1914, the 17-year old Princess Mary created the Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund calling on the people of Britain to provide everyone wearing the King’s uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914 with a ‘gift from the nation’.
The result was the production of an embossed brass box, decorated with a portrait of Princess Mary, which would co🀅ntain an assortment of gifts. Remarkably, despite a severe shortage of brass, over than 355,000 tins were successfully delivered by the Christmas deadline. When the fund finally closed in 1920, almost £200,000 had been donated for the provision of more than two and a half million boxes with contents.