For many tin collectors, tobacco tins are the ultimate tins to acquire. There's even a name for the tobacco collecting field, tobacciana.
Why are they so collectible? Well, they usually had superior artwork, with elaborate designs, presented in 10 or more colors at times. They were made in unusual shapes, most popular in the mid-1800's, and 1,000's of brands were sold. Some have tax stamps and/or patent dates on them to provide accurate dating.
Here's more information about collecting them.
Types to collect - CANISTERS; in round, pie-shaped, square and rectangular sizes.
LUNCH BOX; produced with variety of single handle styles, also made with double handles, similar to picnic baskets.
FIGURAL; ex. the Mayo brand Roly Polys, a TOP, one shaped like a casket (very appropriate), the milk can (from Union Leader) and more.
STORE BINS; larger, maybe not always as attractive as their smaller cousins but very desireable.
POCKET; these of course were designed to fit in a man's pocket. Came in flat, vertical, and round styles. Variations include oval vertical, and vertical with a flat back but rounded front. Cardboard was used later on, evolving into the cigarette/cigar packs of today.
CIGAR & CIGARETTE tins; usually came in pocket type tins, can be collected as separate categories, by brand or manufacturer (as the others can be).
PAILS; canisters with a pail-like handle.
SAMPLE or COMPLIMENTARY TRIAL PACKAGE; usually smaller versions of the actual tins.
TOBACCO HABIT CURES; whatever the remedy was, it was sold in tins and bottles. Sears Roebuck sold a cure under their SEROCO brand name back in the 1890's.
Tobacco tins came about after tobacco was sold in wooden caddies (small or large crates), often branded or identified with a colorful paper label. Tobacco continued to be sold in fabric/leather/paper pouches that may have been decorated with printing or had a tin tag attached .
The tins started out with paper labels, then in the 1870's attempts were made to use stone lithography to print color labels directly to the shiny metal. Tins can be found with paper label only, litho only, or a combination of the two.
They had an assortment of lid closures that included knobed lids, snap-down, hinged, and even an ashtray lid. (Writer's note - I'm sure there are more technical terms for the various types of lids. If anyone is aware of them, please write to me.)
Why else do people collect them? There were a variety of advertising themes; Christmas tins, tins with Indians and other racial pictures, ships and Presidents, and everything else you could imagine. Plus you have all of the foreign brands to choose from too. If you get desperate, you can include the plastic canisters in your collection.
Tobacco tin collectors often add other tobacco related advertising products and point of sale items to their collections. Things like humidors, pipes, cigar/cigarette packs and cartons, lighters, signs, tin tags, wooden caddies, ashtrays, and all kinds of other merchandise.
Tin tags are little pieces of tin artwork that come in various sizes and shapes. Collected since the 1870's, there is an estimated 12,000 different tags or variations available.
* Tobacco and Americans by Robert K. Hermann, 1960.
*Tobacco Tins and Their Prices by Al Bergevin, 1986.
* Tobacco Tins: A Collector's Guide by Douglas Congdon-Martin, 1992 with price guide insert.
* Tobacco Tin Encyclopedia by C. Hall Enger (unpublished manu- script?), 1989.
* Golden Leaves: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and the Art of Advertising by RJR Co., 1986.
* The World of Smoking and Tobacco: At Auction by Tony Hyman, 1989.
* Smoke Signals: Cigarette Advertising and the American Way of Life by Jane Webb Smith, 1990.
* Chewing Tobacco Tin Tags: 1870-1930 by ?
* CIGARETTE PACK COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION
61 SCARLE STREET
GEORGETOWN, MA. 01833
* THE LIGHTER COLLECTOR INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY
829 ROCKAWAY STREET
GROVER CITY, CA. 93433
*INTERNATIONAL WRISTWATCH AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER CLUB
832 LEXINGTON AVE.
NEW YORK, NY. 10021
* Tin Tag Collectors Club - contact Chris Cooper (President, Secretary & Treasurer)
Rt 2 Box 55
Pittsburg, TX. 75686
ph: 903-856-7286
fax: 903-856-6879
Membership $20/year, foreign is $30. Members receive the TIN TAG EXCHANGE every two months. Website- http://www.collectoronline.com/collect/club-TTCC.html
* Tobacco Jar Collectors, Society of: Charlotte Tarses, 3011 Fallstaff Rd., Baltimore, Md 21209. For Info, Melinda Bagley, Secretary, 6370 Kirby Ridge Cove, Memphis, Tn 38119
* Cigar Label Collectors International: P.O. Box 66, Sharon Center, OH 44274-0066, Phone/Fax: 216-930-2991
You can write author Mike Reilly at:
TIN GATHERING
W259 N9116 Hwy J
Hartland, WI. 53029-9010