what is your latest pipe purchase

[NeverBend]

Got a bunch of old tobacco on Ebay:



Does anyone know how old these tobaccos are?

The John Cotton's Mixture was produced by John Cotton Ltd.
The John Rolfe Pipe Mixture was produced by House of Edgeworth.
The Half and Half has a free pipe tool in it.
The Briggs Mixture was manufactured by United States Tobacco Company.
The Best Virginia is from the Apothecary Shop in Williamsburg, VA.

Hi Tab,

Where in darnation do you find these lots!

The Briggs caught my eye because it could have come from my shelf in the early 1980s. John Rolfe and Half and Half would have caught my eye (in the 1980s) for being a little different. John Cotton made no memory impact.

What are the markings on the tins, especially the John Cotton?

Pete

[Bruck]

A "binary" measure of age is the presence or absence of a UPC symbol. They came into use during the mid to late 70s (not everyone adopted them at once, but they were pretty much ubiquitous by the end of the 70s).

I picked up a bunch of Velvet earlier this year and was wondering the same thing, then I noticed that the date was stamped on the wax paper envelope inside the tin (October 1993 in this case).

In some cases, the presence or form of warning label is an indicator, although I can't provide a comprehensive taxonomy on this.

[Haebar]

Hi Tab,

Where in darnation do you find these lots!

The Briggs caught my eye because it could have come from my shelf in the early 1980s. John Rolfe and Half and Half would have caught my eye (in the 1980s) for being a little different. John Cotton made no memory impact.

What are the markings on the tins, especially the John Cotton?

Pete

It was an auction listing on Ebay that included some old cigar boxes and tobacco tins. What sparked my interest was that the description said that the larger tins hadn't been opened. The John Cotton tin has a sticker on the bottom that says:

U.S. Distributors
James B. Russell, Inc.
25 Parkway,
Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey 07458
U.S.A.

On the side of the John Cotton tin it says:
John Cotton Ltd., 34 Burlington Arcade, London W1V9AD
200 g net weight 7 oz e
Made in the United Kingdom

[Haebar]

A "binary" measure of age is the presence or absence of a UPC symbol. They came into use during the mid to late 70s (not everyone adopted them at once, but they were pretty much ubiquitous by the end of the 70s).

I picked up a bunch of Velvet earlier this year and was wondering the same thing, then I noticed that the date was stamped on the wax paper envelope inside the tin (October 1993 in this case).

In some cases, the presence or form of warning label is an indicator, although I can't provide a comprehensive taxonomy on this.

Thanks Bruce. The Briggs and Half & Half have UPC codes. The H&H has a price tag of $0.69. The Briggs Pipe Mixture feels (upon squeezing) that it is dry. The Best Virginia and H&H still feel moist. Neither of the tins has a UPC code.

[Bruck]

Thanks Bruce. The Briggs and Half & Half have UPC codes. The H&H has a price tag of $0.69. The Briggs Pipe Mixture feels (upon squeezing) that it is dry. The Best Virginia and H&H still feel moist. Neither of the tins has a UPC code.

& you know that John Rolfe blend was made after 1612

Actually, yes, the price tag gives you a ballpark as well.

Ebay is full of vintage tobacco lots. I like to search for "tobacco tin unopened" and "tobacco tin sealed." For a while there, someone was liquidating what appeared to be the holdings of an old tobacco store; not sure if this is still active.

[NeverBend]

A "binary" measure of age is the presence or absence of a UPC symbol. They came into use during the mid to late 70s (not everyone adopted them at once, but they were pretty much ubiquitous by the end of the 70s).

Excellent points to look for. In my experience (and memory) ~1980 UPC was on most larger company goods but not smaller companies. Boutique tobacco was being sold by small shops that didn't have digital registers for many years after. Elephant & Castle never had a UPC (through 1989), and we never had a single request for it.

I have no idea who owned the John Cotton name when this tin was made but James B. Russell went out of business, I believe, soon after 2000 and Made in England fits being at least that old. I'd suspect that it was made by Gallaher but I don't know John Cotton's Mixture (does it say #1 & #2?). It's an English (Latakia, Oriental, Virginia)?

If it's ~2000, (15 or more years old), an English Mixture and packed without pressure....sounds good. That would be high quality and better conditions to remain vibrant. Is the tobacco dry?

In some cases, the presence or form of warning label is an indicator, although I can't provide a comprehensive taxonomy on this.

California required labeling as of November 1989 and the wording changed ~2011. Don't know about other warning labeling.

[Haebar]

Excellent points to look for. In my experience (and memory) ~1980 UPC was on most larger company goods but not smaller companies. Boutique tobacco was being sold by small shops that didn't have digital registers for many years after. Elephant & Castle never had a UPC (through 1989), and we never had a single request for it.

I have no idea who owned the John Cotton name when this tin was made but James B. Russell went out of business, I believe, soon after 2000 and Made in England fits being at least that old. I'd suspect that it was made by Gallaher but I don't know John Cotton's Mixture (does it say #1 & #2?). It's an English (Latakia, Oriental, Virginia)?

If it's ~2000, (15 or more years old), an English Mixture and packed without pressure....sounds good. That would be high quality and better conditions to remain vibrant. Is the tobacco dry?




California required labeling as of November 1989 and the wording changed ~2011. Don't know about other warning labeling.

No, it doesn't say #1 or #2. It is an English blend. The tobacco was dry when I received it, but I have revived it.

[penna stogey]

Good stuff....love reading.

[Lynn]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<i got a question......are threaded stem pipes better???>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[GWBowman]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<i got a question......are threaded stem pipes better???>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In my short experience, I would say no. I have one that the alignment is off a little, and it feels weird if I leave it loose. If it's not threaded, you can put it any way you prefer. I'm also worry if I buy one that is stuck, I would be tempted to work it back and forth. If it's threaded and I don't realize it...could be bad. I have a couple and they smoke fine. Hoping someone with more experience chimes in.