Vintage cigar boxes

Between the years 1870 and 1920, more than 1.5 million cigar brands appeared and disappeared on the North American market. In fact, there were more brands of cigars during this 50-year period than any other product in history. So at a time when a local drugstore could be carrying up to 350 cigar brands, colourful labels were essential to stand out in a sea of competitors. It was the birth of modern advertising, and any cigar box worth its tobacco boasted elaborate labels depicting everything from flags and war heroes to sports icons and beautiful women. The golden age of the cigar may have long since passed, but these ornate boxes continue to spark our imaginations, making way for simple ideas to show them off at home.

What to look for
Don't put too much weight on the date on the bottom of the box—these are often commemorative and don't always represent the actual date of the piece. Look for boxes with as little damage to the trim and labels as possible and, ideally, no writing.