If you have any military items to sell, please just email us some photos to: sales@britishmilitarybadges.co.uk and we will make you a cash offer to buy your items!
Where to sell WW1 Princess Mary Christmas Tins?
Do you have a WW1 Princess Mary Tin or its contents such as Princess Mary photo, King George V and Queen Mary postcard, cigarette packets, bullet pencils, tobacco packets, lighters, Christmas cards you wish to sell? Simply send us a photo of the tin or items to: sales@britishmilitarybadges.co.uk and we will get back to you with a cash offer!
If you have inherited a Princess Mary tin and are looking to sell it or a collector who is looking to slim down his collection of WW1 Christmas tin items, then we are very happy to purchase your tins or contents for cash. We are the largest buyer of WWI Mary Tins and Great War militaria online and happy to make you a cash offer for your WWI memorabilia including the princess Mary bullet pencil, photos and postcards. All you need to do is send us a photo of the items to: sales@britishmilitarybadges.co.uk and let us make you an offer or view our we buy page for more details.
How to sell a WWI soldiers brass Christmas gift tins online?
If you have inherited a Princess Mary tin or the tobacco packet, cigarette packet or lighter and wish to sell them quickly and conveniently, please just email us a photo of what you have to sales@britishmilitarybadges.co.uk and we will get back to you with an immediate cash offer. If you’re happy with our offer, just post us the medals and we will get you paid the same day we receive them. We can make payment via bank transfer or PayPal (we pay the fees), depending on your preference.

We Buy Princess Mary tins and contents!
The WW1 Princess Mary Gift Tin – A Cherished Piece of British Military History
Few First World War artefacts are as instantly recognisable or as emotionally resonant as the Princess Mary Gift Tin of 1914. Issued at the very beginning of the Great War, these small brass tins were sent to British and Imperial servicemen as a personal gift from Princess Mary, daughter of King George V, and today they remain one of the most sought-after British military collectables.
At British Military Badges, we have a strong interest in acquiring original Princess Mary gift tins and their contents, particularly from collectors or from families who have inherited one and no longer wish to keep it.
What Is the Princess Mary Gift Tin?
The Princess Mary Gift Fund was established in late 1914 to provide every sailor and soldier serving overseas with a Christmas gift. The result was the iconic embossed brass tin, decorated with:
-
Princess Mary’s portrait
-
A soldier and sailor representation
-
The inscription “Imperium Britannicum”
-
The year 1914
Over 2.6 million tins were produced, but despite the large number originally issued, complete and untouched examples are increasingly scarce over a century later.
Original Contents of the Princess Mary Tin
While many tins survive empty, collectors highly value those that still contain original contents, which varied depending on the recipient. These could include:
-
A packet of cigarettes or tobacco
-
A pipe (for non-smokers or certain units)
-
A tinder lighter
-
Christmas card from Princess Mary
-
Paper inserts or bullet pencil
Even partial contents significantly increase collectability, and items are still of interest even if they are loose and no longer in the tin.
At British Military Badges, we are interested in:
-
Complete tins
-
Empty original tins
-
Loose original contents
-
Associated paperwork or provenance
Why Princess Mary Gift Tins Are So Collectable
The appeal of the Princess Mary tin goes beyond its appearance. These items are powerful personal connections to the men who served in the trenches, at sea, and across the British Empire during WW1.
Collectors value them because:
-
They are directly linked to individual soldiers or sailors
-
They were personally endorsed by the Royal Family
-
They represent one of the earliest morale-boosting efforts of the war
-
Each surviving example tells a unique family story
For families who have inherited one, the tin often comes with little information — sometimes discovered in a drawer, attic, or old military box decades later.
Have You Inherited a Princess Mary Tin?
We regularly hear from people who have inherited a WW1 Princess Mary Gift Tin but don’t collect militaria themselves. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
You may be wondering:
-
Is it original?
-
Is it valuable?
-
What should I do with it?
At British Military Badges, we specialise in British military antiques and can offer honest advice, fair market prices, and discreet purchases.
British Military Badges – We Are Looking to Buy
British Military Badges is actively looking to buy original WW1 Princess Mary Gift Tins and original contents.
We are particularly keen to purchase from:
-
Private collectors
-
Families selling inherited items
-
Estates and house clearances
Condition is not a barrier — age, wear, dents, or missing items are expected with genuine WW1 artefacts and do not automatically reduce interest.
Why Sell to British Military Badges?
-
Specialists in British military antiques and collectables
-
Fair, knowledgeable valuations
-
Respect for historical items and family heritage
-
Simple and straightforward buying process
Whether you have a complete Princess Mary tin, an empty tin, or just individual original contents, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Preserving History the Right Way
The Princess Mary Gift Tin remains one of the most important and recognisable relics of the First World War. By passing it on to a specialist collector or dealer, you help ensure that it is properly preserved, researched, and appreciated for generations to come.
If you own or have inherited a WW1 Princess Mary Gift Tin and are considering selling, British Military Badges would be very interested in buying it.


Add comment