Nostalgia for smoking accessories

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 8

Nostalgia for smoking accessories

Collectim

with

Myrtle Duff

A recent newspaper article reported that nonsmokers were far less likely to suffer strokes than those addicted to the habit. Others almost daily exhort us to “Stop smoking and live longer”... or "healthier”... or to assist others to do so by not pulluting the atmosphere.

A non-smoker, I am not too concerned about such warnings except on behalf of relatives and friends, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice a rather different sentiment expressed on the brass

plate adorning an Edwardian wooden pipe rack. It said “Smoke and be Happy.”

Whether or not we can agree with the advice on the wooden rack, with its row of assorted, muchused pipes, would certainly add a homely touch to a restful corner by the fire. Almost as good as the sight of a grandfatherly figure puffing away happily unaware of the hazards involved. The rack is one of a selection of antique smoking accessories at Aldus Antiques which include a number of pipes, some with long, carved stems and one with a hand painted bowl. All are rare and of interest to collectors. The other items illustrated are also from this shop. The cigar box is of the type which once stood on the counters of tobacconist shops to hold a

supply of loose cigars which could be bought singly. This is a fine example, made of cedar with a burred walnut veneer. It has a decorated mirror front with the word “CUBAS” indicating the type of cigars it contained.

The tobacco cutting machine illustrated is another rather decorative by-gone which could take up little space and could well inspire much interesting conversation. Made of mahogany and brass, it will all always be beautiful and is a reminder of one of the many little habits and processes which have disappeared from our fast changing everyday life.

On the bottom it bears the name “Havelock,” which takes me back many years to early childhood and the days when my own grandfather smoked Dark Havelock Plug tobacco in the pipe which he loved but which, at times, became a little too aromatic for the rest of the household.

He owned no such uten-

sil as this magnificent cutter, merely cutting pieces from the plug with an old pocket knife and then kneading them in the palm of his hand until the desired texture was obtained. All this was part of the smoking routine probably taking as much time as the actual puffing and , certainly adding to its joys by anticipation. Lidded tobacco jars seem to have been made in as great a variety as the biscuit barrels which recently aroused considerable local interest. In this same shop is a fine porcelain jar with a band of dimpled surface to provide a roughened area for striking matches. Listed in recent volumes of Miller’s Guide, are jars from many periods in most possible materials.

A brown glazed Linthorpe pottery jar with electro-plated rim and handle from the late nineteenth century; a Moor-croft-Macintyre in reds, blues, browns, greens and apricot, signed “W.M.” and sold recently for approximately $lOOO, and wooden jars of various kinds, usually lead-lined. These include a nineteenth century olive-wood

jar; others from the same period in mahogany, yewwood, oak, rosewood and lignum vitae, all having sold at prices exceeding $lOOO.

Last, but not least, which must be mentioned, is one many would love to own. It is a Martin Bros, stoneware jar and cover (lid) modelled as a grotesque cat inscribed R. W. Martin and Brothers, London and Southall and valued by Millers at approximately $30,000.

It is always of interest to know what they are doing on the other side of the world, but perhaps more so to find out what is available locally and is financially impossible. I discovered another wooden pipe rack at "Antique Chairs and Things” in Merivale, and another tobacco cutter in the little shop in Victoria Street, formerly the home of “Junk and Disorderly” now moved to another location.

The new young occupants have re-named the shop “Aptiquarius.” They have been there only three weeks, and the place glows with their enthusiasm. As well as the

tobacco cutter they have a fine stock of the white linen popular with young people today; masses of Doulton plates; a wicker cradle appropriately draped, and a beautifully dressed antique doll.

A search around local shops will certainly reveal many other smoking accessories from different periods. There are the lovely little silver vesta boxes originally for holding matches but now keenly sought as articles of adornment; leather cigar cases; cigarette cases in unbelievable variety; lighters, ash-trays, and match holders. One of the last named category is among the pieces illustrated, and would also be of interest to collectors of Torquay pottery. Decorated in the usual style of this ware it bears the inscription “Strike me and I’ll light,” a reference to the rough, dimpled band around its middle made for striking matches.

Also inscribed — unexpectedly for this type of pottery — are the words “Banff, Canada" indicating that the piece must have been made for export to Banff for sale as a souvenir there.