{"product_id":"wwi-british-royal-artillery-trench-art-brass-ashtray-copy","title":"WW1 1914 Princess Mary Christmas Gift Tin \u0026 Original Bullet Pencil","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003e1914 Princess Mary Christmas Gift Tin\u003c\/span\u003e paired with its original, matching \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eRoyal Monogrammed Bullet Pencil\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistributed to members of the British, Colonial, and Indian Armed Forces on Christmas Day 1914, this poignant pairing represents a classic piece of Great War trench social history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003eInitiated by the 17-year-old daughter of King George V, the Sailors \u0026amp; Soldiers Christmas Fund raised money to send every serving member of the military a token of appreciation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003eWhile smokers received tobacco and cigarettes, non-smokers, nurses, and specific colonial troops were given writing materials. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003eAs tobacco supplies fluctuated, bullet pencils were widely distributed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThe tin is in an overall good antique condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThe embossed lid is crisp with strong, deep details highlighting Princess Mary’s profile, the surrounding laurels, and the names of the Allied nations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eIt retains an honest, unpolished dark golden patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThe interior is clean with light tarnish spots and minor patches of light green verdigris commensurate with age. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eNo deep pitting or chemical cleaning damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThere is a structural stress crack\/split on the top left corner rim of the lid near the hinge line (see photographs). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThe lid opens and closes fully, though there is minor historic warping along the edges. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003eThe hinges remain fully functional but should be handled with care due to the corner split. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e The Monogrammed Bullet Pencil features a beautifully crisp, deeply struck \"M\" monogram surmounted by the Royal Crown. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe Headstamp is clearly marked KN 14 VII W at the base. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThis confirms production by the Kings Norton Metal Company in 1914, using a standard .303 Mark VII casing (a highly desirable variation for ammunition and militaria collectors).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe original silver-plated\/nickel bullet-shaped nose cap pulls out smoothly and reverses into the cartridge throat firmly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe original interior wood casing and lead pencil core are still present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe shell case shows small spots of original orange-red manufacturing sealing lacquer near the neck, with a lovely natural aged patina across the main brass body. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57449473442057,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/5437\/0569\/files\/E97BF8E5-E52B-41BA-925E-08D2F6DEBB05_1_201_a-Photoroom.png?v=1791992854","url":"https:\/\/haywardsantiques.co.uk\/products\/wwi-british-royal-artillery-trench-art-brass-ashtray-copy","provider":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}