Early Imperium Britannicum Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Tobacco Cigarette Brass

Description

Antique / vintage Imperium Britannicum Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Tobacco Cigarette Brass Box, with the countries of Belgium, France, Japan, Germany, Monte Negro, Russia, Servia also embossed on the cover of the lid along with MM initials, laurel leaf wreath and various other details.  Approx. 5” x 3-1/4” x 1-/1/8” high. This appears to be a nice early production of the box with very finely embossed details, but the box definitely has been used as shown in the photos – please view thoroughly.
Please review photos and e:mail if you have specific questions.  Please ask questions before bidding – item is sold as-is with no returns, but I do want the successful bidder to be completely satisfied.
Shipping is by USPS to the 48 contiguous U.S. states – please use the shipping calculator.  Also verify calculated cost if shipping is to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska. Sorry, no international shipping at this time.
Here’s some interesting backstory info found online regarding this World War I gift to the military and others:
“The ‘Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund’ was created by Princess Mary, the 17-year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, with the purpose of providing 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 containing gifts, which would also go to the wounded on leave or in hospital, to nurses, and to the widows or parents of those killed. Prisoners of war at the time had theirs reserved until they were repatriated.
The tin itself was approximately 13cm (5″) long by 8cm (3¼”) wide by 3cm (1¼”) deep with a hinged lid. The surface of the lid is decorated with a portrait of Princess Mary, surrounded by a laurel wreath and with an ‘M’ either side.
At the top are the words ‘Imperium Britannicum’ with a sword and scabbard either side, and at the bottom are the words ‘Christmas 1914’, flanked by the bows of battleships forging through a heavy sea. In the corners are the names of the Allies: Belgium, Japan, Montenegro and Servia, with France and Russia either side.”