Friday.  Another day, another research hunt.  Yay me!  I’ve secured some more books and journals that will help I think, but I’m always on the look out for more.

I arrived at my favourite antique shop in the hope there might be something lurking on the book shelves.  Sadly I spent some time, but couldn’t find anything relating to my research, but I did find an interesting old journal which I bought to look at anyway.

You know me, I have to take a look at the stuff in the shop.  There’s so many beautiful things in the world to admire, and possibly to buy…sometimes.  I had one of those moments where something just catches your eye.  All it was, was a small gold coloured tin – I wondered what it said on the lid.  Turned out it was a tin from the Great War or, WWI if you like.

Princess Mary, daughter of the then King, George V had set up a fund in 1914 so that aid could be sent to our soldiers.  The tin was part of that years’ Christmas present.  Filled with tobacco, cigarettes and chocolate as well as a pencil and a Christmas card from Mary herself.  Many of these tins still exist, some with contents.  You can see a picture, and read a little more about them here.

I was invited to open the tin (I’d already expressed my excitement upon having seen it.  They were previously just fabled to me.)  Inside was a little collection of pins and brooches…including a lovely round pierced silver name brooch, ‘Mary’ funnily enough.  Course then I had to have that for my collection!  It’s a funny old world isn’t it?!  How one marvellous thing can lead to another?  I shall show you all a photo when I get it, it’s being cleaned at the moment.

Oh, and before I left I Decided to diversify.  I’m now buying interesting Victorian silver items that catch my eye.  I left with a lovely 1880s match case.