The last step in making cigars is to pack them for sale. Both U.S. and Canadian law required that all cigars be packed in boxes, cans or jars,  and have paid taxes before they can leave the factory.

        Congress said nothing about HOW those cigars could be put in boxes: that left lots of choice. Horizontally, vertically or upright? Banded, not banded, foiled, tissued or in glass or aluminum tubes? Bundled in 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s? or 9s? Wrapped together or in paper pockets? With other sizes, shapes or colors of cigar? What inner and outer label on the box? What should the edging say, if anything? Front, side or floating flap? Plain or decorated? Nail tag or no?  NW, NWH, BN or custom box? How many to a box...25, 50 or 100s or other?  Box made of wood, cardboard, glass, tin or some other material?

        The ultimate variations are almost endless. This Exhibit shows you a few of the ways pre-embargo cigars were packed using examples from 1862-1962, the U.S. Civil War to the Cuban Embargo.