Flag, rattle

This miniature rattle was one of many cheaply produced souvenirs issued to commemorate British victory in the Second Anglo-Boer War. The souvenir has a dual purpose as both a nationalistic flag and rattle. It was sold by street sellers for one penny to the mass crowds that gathered in London to celebrate the raising of the 7th month siege of Mafeking (now known as Mahikeng) in May 1900. This example was purchased by Ernest King on May 30th 1900. British defeat of the Boer army at Mafekin was led by Colonel Robert Baden-Powell and greeted with great patriotic fervour in London. Celebrations, both spontaneous and organised attracted brought large crowds of Londoners onto the streets who believed control over South Africa's gold and diamond mines was now within reach of the British Empire.
London's souvenir street sellers always quick to cash in on the popular mood of celebration offered revellers a range of penny souvenirs from flags to rattles and pin badges printed with the portrait of Baden-Powell. Similarly to other tinplate novelties and souvenirs sold in London the rattle was made in Europe, in this case Paris, specificially for export to the UK.

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