Cadbury Boer War chocolate tin to be auctioned in Martlesham

The Cadbury chocolate, still contained in its original Boer War-era tin, will go under the hammer on Tuesday, May 19, at Lockdales Auctioneers & Valuers in Martlesham Heath.

The Cadbury Boer War chocolate tin is set to be auctioned (Image: Lockdales)

It was one of thousands commissioned by Queen Victoria and sent to British soldiers fighting in South Africa.

Chris Elmy, a cataloguer at Lockdales, said: "The public may be familiar with the Princess Mary Christmas tins of WWI, but this Boer War issue was the precursor.

"To have the contents intact (Cadbury chocolate) is very rare, if unappetising.

"We look forward to selling this unusual item on the 19th of May."

This is one of thousands commissioned by Queen Victoria (Image: Lockdales)

Estimated to fetch between £200 and £240, the lot consists of both the original tin and the chocolate bar.

The Second Boer War took place between 1899 and 1902 (Image: Lockdales)

The Second Boer War took place between 1899 and 1902, involving the British Empire and two independent Boer states over control of South Africa.

The chocolate bar and tin is estimated to fetch between £200 and £240 (Image: Lockdales)

Queen Victoria commissioned leading chocolate manufacturers Cadbury, JS Fry, and Rowntree to produce the tins as a New Year’s gift for troops serving overseas.

Queen Victoria produced the tins as a New Year's gift (Image: Lockdales)

Each tin bore the inscription 'South Africa 1900' and a seasonal wish in facsimile of the Queen’s handwriting: 'I wish you a happy new year'.

More than 120,000 tins were distributed (Image: Lockdales)

More than 120,000 tins were distributed to soldiers by the end of that year.

The chocolate tin that is being auctioned, comes from a private collector.