December 3, 2008
After Columbus observed Native Americans inhaling powdered tobacco, the practice quickly spread to Europe, the Middle East, and China. European snuff boxes ranged from simple rectangular or round shapes of pewter or other common metals, to more elaborate, precious stone-inlaid boxes, often with relief and etching on the lids, and sometimes shaped like sea shells or animals.
Cigarette lighter collecting is a hobby that never gets boring. Just by browsing eBay auctions for ten minute… [more]
This simple site features a beautiful collection of antique Chinese snuff bottles. Start on the categories page, wh… [more]
This ambitious site showcases the 20,000-item Rankei Library matchbook collection, owned by the Japan Match Manufac… [more]
Don Wearmouth and his wife showcase the 230 beautiful silk designs that were distributed free with Kensitas cigaret… [more]
This classy looking British site features hundreds of high resolution photos of antique porcelain pre-war (enamel) … [more]
Jane McDevitt's huge Flickr photoset of matchbox labels, primarily Eastern European, from the 1950s and 60s. These … [more]
This gallery of cigarette magazine advertising from the 1940s and 50s contains no surgeon general's warning, just p… [more]
James Lileks' gallery of 250 matchbooks from coffee shops, hotels, motels, bars, banks, restaurants and more. Lilek… [more]
Puff on this... over 1,000 cigar bands from the 1890s through 1920s, organized into themed galleries such as Portra… [more]
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