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Many other materials

were used for making

cigar boxes.

OTHER TYPES OF BOXES

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Wood was by far the most popular material for making

cigar boxes.

TYPES OF WOODEN BOXES

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Making wood boxes

Scheduled Spring 2013

This Exhibit is your door to the evidence.

Between 1862 and 1962, the workers in in 250,000 U.S. cigar factories rolled by hand and machine 5,000,000,000,000 cigars. By law, every cigar was required to be packed in a box before leaving the factory. Factories could use a box in any shape or material. That box could be stenciled, paint or printed with anything they, or anybody else, wanted on it ... anywhere except the bottom. That belonged to the government.

It’s “or anyone else” that makes a good part of the story. Wholesalers, distributers, retailers, even customers could order custom brand names, labels, and boxes. No other American industry provided such opportunity for diversity.

That’s what these Exhibits are about.

Cigar Boxes, Cans & Jars

Links to All Cigar Packaging Exhibits

New text: January 27, 2011

Modified: July 7, 2011

New text: December 12, 2011