RARE – 18th century brass Dutch Tobacco Tin, with many engravings, as in books and museums (ON HOLD,MW)

Being offered is a rare 18th-century brass tobacco tin with a hinged lid, measuring 5 ¾” x 2 ½” x 1 ½”. The Dutch examples were popular and ornate and were used for storing pipe tobacco. The more valuable ones featured detailed hand-engravings of maritime scenes, Ancient Rome and Greece, biblical stories, erotic themes, etc.

Many of them were made in Germany and sold in Holland. Because of their popularity, they found their way through Europe and into the American colonies. There are examples in the Guilford Courthouse Revolutionary War Museum and in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic (see pictures).

On this tin the engravings appear to be of Ancient Rome with horses and chariots. There is also some writing which appears to be Dutch, a West Germanic language closely related to German and English, spoken by most people there and also in parts of Belgium.

These tobacco tins are highly collectible and valued for their historical significance and artwork. Something of this quality would not be affordable to the average citizen or soldier, but for officers, politicians, and aristocrats.

 Revolutionary War artifacts have always been difficult to find, and I am fortunate to have quite a few pieces in stock. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity and price. I am already seeing a substantial increase in purchases.