April 2014 Auction Ends Tuesday, April 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/29/2014
Cigarette tin gifted in a charitable initiative by Princess Mary to the armed forces at Christmas during WWI. This gift is from the Class A round of tins, the first of the three batches issued, distributed to active service members and the injured and bereaved families. Tin was received by the widow of Captain Everard Joseph Lamb of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Prior to joining, he was owner of the Cramlington Coal Company. Lamb perished in the First Battle of Ypres on 1 November of 1914. He is commemorated at the Menin Gate. Decorative gilt metal tin features an embossed profile of the royal at the center of the hinged lid, with ''Christmas 1914'' inscribed beneath. Container opens to a sealed and labeled pouch of tobacco, an opened pack of 9 rolled cigarettes, a small portrait photo of the Princess measuring 2'' x 2.5'', and a little card with a printed Christmas and New Year message. The mention of Christmas in the card further indicates this tin is from ''Class A''. Gift is accompanied by documents: a letter stamped by Infantry Records in 1915 addressed to ''Hayton House, How Mill, Carlisle'' and a letter from 2005 from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirming the identity of Lamb. Tin measures 5'' x 3.5'' x 1.25''. Foxing to card and wear to photo edges, else lot is in near fine condition given age. A seldom-encountered stocked tin.
Princess Mary's Christmas Gift To Servicemen During WWI -- Cigarette Tin From 1914 Filled With Its Original Gift Contents
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