Antique tobacco tins are smoking-hot collectibles

A rare Continental Cubes tobacco tin sold for $5,000 plus the buyer’s premium in June 2020 at Dan Morphy Auctions. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK — Patented in 1875, offset lithography quickly became the preferred way to decorate tin products, and the tobacco industry was a pioneer in utilizing the then-revolutionary technology to advertise its wares.

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Collectible Meerschaum pipes lined up for May 25 auction

Skull and snakes Meerschaum pipe, estimated at $150-$200
Skull and snakes Meerschaum pipe, estimated at $150-$200
Skull and snakes Meerschaum pipe, estimated at $150-$200

NEW YORK – Meerschaum — geologically known as sepiolote — comes from a German word meaning “sea foam.” Pipes made from sepiolite are said to be ideal for smoking tobacco, because the mineral serves as a natural filter to absorb nicotine, but it never burns. On May 25 at noon, Jasper52 will offer an 84-lot collection of collectible Meerschaum pipes. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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