British Sailors’ Society Donation Money Box
This is a charity donation money box issued by the British Sailors’ Society. It takes the form of a bow section of a passenger ship, mounted on a blue backing board that carries the slogan “YOUR COIN will light this ship and lighten OUR task.”
The ship is modelled in cream and grey, with a cream superstructure of two decks, a row of small rectangular cut-out windows along each level and a red funnel with a black cap. The upper deck features a raised rectangular hatch with a dark slot, which appears to be the coin entry point. A printed paper label on the grey hull reads “THE BRITISH SAILORS’ SOCIETY”. The design relies on simple card construction and bold graphic lettering, in keeping with the society’s appeal for donations.
Condition and Collector Interest
The money box shows general wear consistent with age and handling. There are scuffs and marks across the cream deck, some edge chipping to the hull and superstructure, and visible wear to the blue backing board. The printed label is present, and the main structure remains intact. Some paint loss is evident along the edges.
Items of this kind appeal to collectors of charity ephemera, maritime collectables and small advertising pieces. The combination of the ship design, the society’s name and the donation slogan makes it a distinctive example for those interested in the history of seafarers’ charities and fundraising materials.