The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: 07/03/001 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No7 Adam Park Report No: Report No.15 Artifact Type: Personal Kit Production Date: 2013-11-01 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: Not taken Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

This cigarette tin is in a pretty fragile condition however its size 85mm x 70mm and the faded writing on the side suggest it housed twenty cigarettes. The inscription on the side states ‘Old Bond Street London W’ and ‘Made in England’ with a gold and red colour scheme. The left side of the container states ‘Twenty C…’ presumably ‘cigarettes’and has a black and gold colouring. The right side also is coloured gold and black but you can only make out the first two letters ‘TH… the statement ends in an exclamation mark. The gold and black colour scheme is also on the bottom of the tin and there is a four figure number stamped in the bottom but it is impossible to make it out in full.

Historic Context:

One possible match is the Benson & Hedges brand popular through the 30’s to the 60’s and produced at times for export, airlines and the NAAFI. The BEA example here clearly shows the colour scheme and the stamp in the base of the box. NAAFI cigarette tins will have a stamp at the bottom declaring they are for NAAFI sale only. Japanese coveted the British tobacco tins as there were of stronger metal sealed well and could be used to carry the ashes of their dead comrades, keeping them dry and protected.