Canadian. 1910s/1920s. Embossed lithographed tin. The Calabash smoking mixture tin was made in Montreal, Quebec, by the Imperial Tobacco Co. of Canada. The pocket tin is the fold-over lid variation (as opposed to the flat top lid variation). Imperial Tobacco named this Calabash because the company also sold a gourd pipe that was known as a calabash pipe. Calabash pipes were unique by design (think of the pipe visually associated with Sherlock Holmes- although it never appeared in any of the original stories about the detective). Imperial likely named the mixture to enhance sales by associating it with the popularity of the calabash pipes. Pocket tin marked, "MANUFACTURED BY IMPERIAL TOBACCO CO. OF CANADA. LIMITED MONTREAL", underneath. Circular tin marked, "MACDONALD MFG CO. LIMITED. TORONTO", lower edge. Rectangular tin unmarked. All items are guaranteed authentic by Miller & Miller Auctions. From the late Marcel Gallays Collection.

Size
Pocket tin: 4" x 3.5" x 1.25".

Condition
Very good to excellent condition. Pocket tin retains excellent colour and gloss with pinpoint surface nicks and edgewear. The 4oz canister shows excellent colour and gloss with minor and stable surface crazing. Minor surface nicks and edge wear. Pipe tobacco box shows fade and edge wear.

Provenance
From the late Marcel Gallays Collection.