WW1 Brass Princess Mary Christmas Tin
 

Was hunting for an enamelled Munitions Volunteer Badge when I spotted this lot and got it for under £40.00 . As I was expecting to pay that price for the badge alone the other items were a bonus (1916 OWS badges are averaging £25.00 at the moment :eek:).

So basically the tin was a 'freebie' ! :D

There are problems with it , so thought I'd ask for advice.

The lid has been 'painted' , is there a safe way to remove paint or should I leave it "as is" ?

Also back lower corner damaged/holed , someone has done a 'basic' repair (blob of solder !) , do you think a jeweller/metalsmith could restore it properly or should I just leave it "as is" ?

As I have said , it really cost me nothing and is a nice decorative item but just wondered what others would do.

Is that really red paint - it looks well applied.
Unless you're good with a soldering iron I'd leave be, but then I tend to leave things be and fixing it just doesn't seem necessary - but to each his own.

The badge is red enamel , it is the lid of the tin that has been given a coat of gold paint.

Ah right - thought it looked enamel.
I suppose the tin may have been painted to keep it looking gold coloured in the absence of a tin of laquer?
No chance it's the original finish to the metal?

Seller advertised it as "painted" and others I've seen , including IWM , appear to have shiny metallic appearance.

Princess Mary Gift Fund box

The only one I have is polished brass, I havn't got a book to hand to check if there were any other finishes.

I think the tins had a finish applied- that is often found polished away- polished brass was not how they were issued. From the pictures the tin looks fine to me. Regards, Paul.

Nice items - good purchase.

Thanks guys , I'm happy to leave the finish as it is but (when lockdown is over) I may take it to a local shop that does brass repairs and restoration to seek their advice about getting the hole repaired properly.

Hi Mike

Nice pick up, re the repairs it looks as if its been done by a drunk who went mad.

Ive had a large 17th Lancers Sabretache Skull and Bones repaired here in Melbourne by a jeweller who specialises in repairs, It cost me $20.00/10GBP and the result is real good and Im more than happy.

Id find a jeweller and see what they say.

Good luck

Phil.

I would just leave it, if it was free, why spend money, if you want a mint tin and contents, then you can simply go and buy one, although, it would cost rather more these days, these tins could be had at provincial fairs and antique shops for ten to fifteen quid, but, since all the TV programmes, bargain hunt, antique road trip and so on, the prices have rocketed, forty five quid seems quite the norm these days.
The 1916 badges do seem to make the money, I always think that given the numbers involved, it is better to buy as cheaply as possible.

I have seen one of these in Sterling Silver one of what I understand is about a couple of dozen specially made for the Rajah..... The contents instead of cigarettes and tobacco was spices.....

Mike

The contents also varied depending on which service the tin was destined for, whether the recipient was a smoker, etc - photos of the king in army or RN uniform, extra sweets instead of cigs or tobacco, spices for Indian troops.

10 -20 years ago I read that a box of unissued tins was found in Ireland and they were due to be auctioned - does any one know more of the story?

Found a newspaper article from June 2014 about this , estimated to be worth around £30,000 .

"X-ray images of unopened cardboard box reveal treasure trove of First World War Christmas gift tins sent by Royal Family to British soldiers fighting in the trenches 100 years ago"

"The box will finally be opened later this month by Lady Emma Kitchener at the Chalke Valley History Festival in Salisbury. A number of the tins will be auctioned off for £300 - £350 during the event - with the proceeds going to charity."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...years-ago.html

The National Army Museum has or had a display showing an opened wooden crate almost full of boxes. Not sure if it is the same one?

Tim