Description

Japanned round tin with gold stencil reading “Hurry up ol boy, take a chew.” Font is a famous documented CW era type. Outside of edge of lid is also gold stenciled. This text was found on several different snuff and tobacco containers of the period and we copied the saying and font directly from a lacquered tobacco box dating about 1850. Measures about 3″ across and a bit over and 1″ tall. Friction lid with rolled lip. Tins like this are documented as being used for all manner of items during the period from watch parts and musket caps to bar soap and tobacco products. Here is just the ticket to carry your cut, plug, or leaf chew and keep it relatively fresh and handy. The tin is japanned utilizing an original period method and the stencil is powder coated in gold also utilizing a late 18th c. to mid 19th c. method. Just like the originals, the japanning does scratch and wear and so does the powder coat, although we have put a sealer over it so it does not wear quite as quickly as they did. As in original japanned tin items, there are anomalies and “holidays” in the surface varnish where it is unevenly brushed on or “popped’ when being baked on. The gold powder stencil, an adhesive and powder sifting process, is not always uniform or so sharply defined and some “spray” does occur, leaving some slightly blurred letters with small intricate fonts, etc. The result is a quite authentic piece but not always “perfect” by the 21st c. cookie cutter uniformity standards.