Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
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Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
 Introduction    Video    MAIN EXHIBITION 
 Inspiration    Why Are There Cigar Boxes?    The Cigar Store    Anatomy of a Cigar Box 
 Quiz    How Old Is My Cigar Box?   Resources    Credits    Donations    Contact the Curator    Index 

Anatomy of a Cigar Box



Sales

The Outer Box      Revenue Stamp      Bottom Brand      Sales      Labour      The Inner Box

While the tax stamp and bottom brand were legally required, most of the other components of the box promoted brand image and sales. By 1897, the appearance of the cigar box had become more or less set and the components standardized.


TOP BRAND

TOP BRAND

The title of the cigar, ink-stamped on the lid or pressure branded into the wood. The top brand might reproduce the look of the label within, or feature plain text embellished with fancy swirls and graphics—tobacco leaves, cigar bundles and smoking paraphernalia, or flowers and other greenery.

FRONT BRAND

FRONT BRAND

The front panel of the box might be inked or branded with the name of the manufacturer, the name of the cigar or the cigar size: Londres, Panatelas, Perfectos, etc.

BACK BRAND

BACK BRAND

If present, usually the name and location of the manufacturer.

END LABEL

END LABEL

Nearly always a miniature version of the label on the inside lid, glued to an outer end and often over the top or bottom. In shops, stacks of unopened cigar boxes were stored end-label-out on the shelf behind the counter; they made for a colourful back wall. On a practical note, the end label also helped the seller quickly identify the replacement box on the shelf when the one in the case was empty.

COLOUR MARK

COLOUR MARK

A Spanish word or two stamped in ink on the side opposite the end label. The terms referred to the colour of the leaf wrapper on each cigar in the box, usually "claro" (light tan), "colorado" (medium brown), or "maduro" (dark reddish brown or darker). Often missing or illegible.

NAIL LABEL

NAIL LABEL

Early boxes were closed with a single nail tacked through the front of the lid into the front panel of the box. Some manufacturers covered the nail with an oval or round label, often brightly coloured, printed with their logo, name, guarantee, etc. This label, glued to the top and front of the box, formed an extra seal (along with the revenue stamp).

EDGING

EDGING

Narrow strips of paper applied to the edges of the box. Edging was usually plain white, but for extra flourish, some manufacturers had customized edging showing their name, logo, or the cigar brand name.


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