Description
Own an exceptionally rare piece of World War II history. Commissioned by the South African Gifts and Comforts Committee for Christmas 1940, these tins were sent as morale-boosting holiday gifts to South African soldiers serving overseas.
While empty tins occasionally surface on the market, this specific artifact represents the ultimate pinnacle of historical preservation: it still contains the original, authentic 1940 Cadbury chocolate block intact inside. Finding an unsealed, complete specimen after more than eight decades is an absolute anomaly. Iconic Bilingual Wartime Design The lid showcases a detailed, raised embossed bust of Prime Minister General Jan Smuts. This design marked a historic shift, replacing traditional British monarchs with a South African leader on active-service gift tins. The face features patriotic slogans stamped in both English and Afrikaans:- Top/Bottom: "Greetings from South Africa" / "Groete van Suid Afrika"
- Sides: "We rely on you and are grateful" / "Ons vertrou op jou en ons is dankbaar"
- SKU: MILI-SA-WW2-JS1940-CDB
- Era: World War II (Distributed Christmas 1940)
- Subject: Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts
- Origin: South African Gifts and Comforts Committee
- Material: Embossed tinplate metal
- Contents: Original 1940 vintage Cadbury chocolate bar (Strictly for historical display; not for consumption)
- Length: approx. 18.0 cm
- Width: approx. 11.0 cm
- Weight: approx. 450 grams