Selling Smoke
Selling Smoke

How Canadian Cigar Boxes Pitched Their Wares  1883-1935

Smokers' World
 Nicotine Normalized

In the world of cigar labels, virtually everyone smokes: real people, cartoon people, national symbols, elfin sprites, Cleopatra, and the odd dog.

Cigar box label : The Chairman  
The Chairman
Trimmed nailed wood box (50)
Factory 2 IRD 31 Series of 1897
T. J. Fair & Co., Limited, Brantford, Ont.
CMC 2004.216.12 | D2005-17257
Cigar box label : El Padre  
El Padre
Trimmed nailed wood box (50)
Factory 6 IRD 17 ca. 1897-1915
S. Davis & Sons, Montreal, Que.
CMC 2004.120.1 | D2004-20046
Cigar box label : Dutch Mike   The only known cigar label showing a 19th century
vertical cigar holder in use.
Dutch Mike
Trimmed nailed wood box (50)
Factory 2 IRD 10 Series of 1897
W.R. Webster & Co., Sherbrooke, Que.
CMC 2003.46.13 | S2003-3185
Cigar box label : Oriental  
Oriental
Trimmed nailed wood box (50)
Factory 2 IRD 31 Series of 1897
T. J. Fair & Co., Limited, Brantford, Ont.
CMC 2005.139.7 | D2005-19877
Cigar box label : Little Meteor  
Little Meteor
Trimmed nailed wood box (100)
Factory 9 IRD 32 Series of 1897
Line, McDonald & Co., London, Ont.
CMC 2003.46.56 | S2003-3313
Cigar box label : Capadura  
Capadura
Trimmed nailed wood box (50)
Factory 3 Port 20-D Series of 1915
Brener Bros., London, Ont.
CMC 2004.122.1 | D2004-21019
Cigar box label : Scotty  
Scotty
Tin Ten Pack
Factory 5 Port D-13 Series C
Barry Cigar Factory, Quebec, Que.
CMC 2001.185.57 | S2002-6998
Tony Hyman Collection
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