64 - A Queen Victoria South Africa 1900 commemorative gift tin, originally commissioned as a New Year's gift for British troops serving in the Second Boer War. The lithographed tinplate lid features an embossed profile portrait of the Queen in a circular medallion, flanked by the Royal Cypher VRI and a crown, and the inscription South Africa 1900. A facsimile of the Queen's handwriting reads I wish you a happy New Year, Victoria RI. The lot includes a WWII-era anti-dimming cloth tin printed with instructions for use on eyepieces, a brass two-part suppository mold with a knurled thumb screw, and several mid-20th-century pharmaceutical ephemera items. The ephemera consists of a paper wrapper for Profex A Tube Prophylactic manufactured by McKesson & Robbins, a Vulkan Sanex prophylactic packet with German text, and a Cello's Latex prophylactic sleeve manufactured by The Killian Mfg. Co. Box: 3 1/4" x 6 1/4". Mold: 3 3/8" x 1". From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.

A Queen Victoria South Africa 1900 commemorative gift tin, originally commissioned as a New Year's gift for British troops serving in the Second Boer War. The lithographed tinplate lid features an embossed profile portrait of the Queen in a circular medallion, flanked by the Royal Cypher VRI and a crown, and the inscription South Africa 1900. A facsimile of the Queen's handwriting reads I wish you a happy New Year, Victoria RI. The lot includes a WWII-era anti-dimming cloth tin printed with instructions for use on eyepieces, a brass two-part suppository mold with a knurled thumb screw, and several mid-20th-century pharmaceutical ephemera items. The ephemera consists of a paper wrapper for Profex A Tube Prophylactic manufactured by McKesson & Robbins, a Vulkan Sanex prophylactic packet with German text, and a Cello's Latex prophylactic sleeve manufactured by The Killian Mfg. Co. Box: 3 1/4" x 6 1/4". Mold: 3 3/8" x 1". From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation. Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund. CONDITION: The Queen Victoria tin shows significant lithography loss, scratches, and surface oxidation, particularly along the edges and on the underside. The anti-dimming tin has a visible dent on the upper right corner and surface oxidation. The brass pharmaceutical mold displays a heavy dark patina and minor surface dings throughout. The paper ephemera exhibits age-toning, creasing, and minor tears consistent with age. NOTICE TO BIDDERS: The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Photos are considered part of the condition report. Complete condition information is available by request, please request no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and Willow Auctions will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.