On 8 December 1915, as part of the drive to raise funds for the wounded of the first world war, Hodder and Stoughton published The Queen’s Gift Book.

Suggested to the publishers by Queen Mary herself, and priced at 2s. 6d., sales of the charity book went to Queen Mary’s Convalescent Auxiliary Hospitals for Soldiers and Sailors who have Lost their Limbs in the War.

With a foreword by John Galsworthy, the collection included contributions from JM Barrie, Joseph Conrad, John Buchan, Jerome K Jerome and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, alongside illustrations by Arthur Rackham, W Heath Robinson and other notable artists.