A Royal Gift with a Wartime History
The box of chocolates, still wrapped in its original silver foil and nestled in straw packing, was originally commissioned by Queen Victoria. It was sent to British troops in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) as a morale-boosting gift.
Paterson, best known for his iconic poem "Waltzing Matilda," was serving as a war correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age at the time. Historians believe that he may have purchased the chocolates from a soldier on the battlefield.
A Chocolate That Defies Time
While one might expect a century-old chocolate to have crumbled into dust, the NLA reports that the box and its contents have aged remarkably well.
This rare discovery not only sheds light on Paterson’s wartime experiences but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the unexpected durability of chocolate—especially one fit for a queen!
What do you think—would you dare to take a bite of this 120-year-old chocolate?
