2018.9.6.3: Tin box containing acorns

Item

Identifier: 2018.9.6.3
Title: Tin box containing acorns
Type: object
Format: metalwork
Date Created: 19th century, late
Place created: London, United Kingdom
Description: Tin box containing 12 acorns and accompanying purple card with a written note by Isabel Salt. The tin is decorated with yellow and blue with black lettering: 'The 'Allenburys' Glycerine and Blackcurrant Pastilles. Made from the fresh ripe fruit. Manufactured by Allen & Hanburys Ltd London'. Late 19th or early 20th century. The note is written on the back of a Ticket for the Harrogate Infirmary Building Fund Pageant of English Literature, Saturday July 23rd 1921. The note states 'Autumn 2018. These have been picked up in the grounds of the Palace of Doorn (Amerongen, Holland) where the ex Kaiser was then living'
Subject: Salt family; Holidays
Associated person or organisation: Salt, Isabel
Associated place or event: Amerongen, Netherlands
Associated dates (range): 1918 – 1918
Source: Gift: Howden, Penny
Abstract: Acorns in a tin? Yes, we have some rather odd items in the Collection! These belonged to Isabel Salt, daughter of Titus Salt Junior and granddaughter of Sir Titus. She traveled frequently to Europe, both before and after World War One, and on one occasion brought back a collection of acorns. These arrived at the Collection, very well preserved, in an old throat pastille tin with a note stating:

'Autumn 1918. These were picked up by M.I.Salt in the grounds of the Palace at Doorn Aumerungen (Holland) where the Ex Kaiser was then living.'

'Doorn' had been altered to 'Aumerungen' (Isabel’s spelling).

It’s all rather mysterious though…and raises a number of questions:

Did Isabel really travel to mainland Europe in Autumn 1918, so soon after the end of hostilities? Would this have been possible?

Why was she uncertain about where she picked up the acorns, changing Doorn to Amerongen? Kaiser Wilhelm II did indeed go into exile in Holland, leaving Germany by train on 10 November 1918. He first lived in Amerongen, before moving to Doorn in 1920 – but surely Isabel would have known where she picked up the acorns, and not needed to correct it later? And would she have been allowed to walk in the grounds of the 'Palace' while he was still in residence?

We also have Isabel’s passport showing she visited Holland in 1919, 1921 and 1926. Could she have picked up the acorns on one of these visits?
Has Format: image
Is Part Of: 2018.9.6: possessions