Mechanical tobacco box, England, 1770-1830

Made:
1770-1830 in England
Penny-slot mechanical tobacco box, all brass with key

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Penny-slot mechanical tobacco box, all brass with key
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Penny-slot mechanical tobacco box, all brass with key, on four ball feet, Rich's patent, Bridgwater, English, 1770-1830

In the 1700s, before the era of cigarette machines, penny-slot machines like this one were used in taverns and pubs in London to sell tobacco for smoking, chewing and snorting. Inserting an old British penny (1d) into the slot would have sprung open the lid to reveal tobacco. The box was designed in Bridgwater, Somerset, England.

Details

Category:
Smoking
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A3298
Materials:
brass
Measurements:
overall: 185 mm x 122 mm x 250 mm, 2.63kg
type:
tobacco box
credit:
Sotheby's