Auction details
8:00 AM PT - Dec 10th, 2008
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Snuff Boxes
Tobacco & Cigar Manufacturer's Advertising Snuff Box c. 1820, American Black Lacquer Snuff Box, Tobacco & Cigar Manufacturer's Advertising, Very Fine. This fantastic American Advertising Snuff Box measures 3.5" in diameter and .75" deep. The box is made in 2 parts and is made of a brittle and quite delicate black lacquer material. The surface of the lid is completely covered with a transfer decoration featuring - at the top - an image of a typical early 19th century Cigar Store Indian standing next to a barrel of Tobacco. Behind the Indian is the ocean and a sailing ship can be seen in the background. Flanking the image is text that reads: "Trying is the Naked Truth" (this inscription could be read "Trying Naked is the Truth" but we doubt it was meant that way). Around the edge of the lid is text that identifies the Box as being produced for "Henry Riell & Co's Celebrated Snuff and Tobacco Manufactory". The address of the Company is given as "81 Front Street - Three Doors Above Old-Slip, New-York. - Where they have constantly on hand for sale a large selection of every article in their line. - Rose scent, Maccoboy scented and plain Rappee French coarse, Rappee, Scotch, &c. SNUFF and every variety of Tobacco consisting of Fine Cut for Chewing, Smoking, Spanish Smoking, Plug, Pound, Rolls, Ladies Twist, Pig-Tail, Cavendish, &c., &c. SPANISH, NEW-ORLEANS, KITEFOOT AND AMERICAN SEGARS. All of the above articles they warrant to be equal (if no superior) to any made in the United States. N. B. Should their articles not be approved, they can be returned and the money (with expenses) will be refunded. P. S. Orders for any quantities of their articles, from any place of the United States, will be promptly attended to.". This outstanding, early American Advertising Snuff Box is in overall nice condition with a few deft restored small edge chips to the rim. Otherwise, there are no large chips, cracks, breaks, repairs or damage. The painted surface has some overall crazing and there are a couple of small spots of surface wear. There are no open surface cracks or significant damage and the overall look is simply beautiful. This wonderful American Tobacco Snuff Box is very well preserved and displays beautifully. New York City Business Directories for the period 1821 through 1830 list the Tobacco manufacturing firm of Henry Riell & Co. at 85 Front Street from 1821 to 1822; at 81 Front Street from 1822 to 1827, at 84 West Street from 1828 to 1829 and 84 Water Street from 1820 to 1830. These listings definitively date this outstanding piece of American Tobacco Advertising Container to the period 1822 to 1827!!! This is far and away the earliest American Advertising Container we have ever handled and although it is made of Black Lacquer material it resembles (and in many ways foreshadows) the later American Advertising Tobacco Tins so fervently collected today. Early American will accept payment by check or credit card. ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images: 
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