Small flat tins holding ten cigars became an instant hit when they were legalized in 1897. ONLY cigarette-size smokes weighing less than 3 pounds per 1,000 could be packed in these 10/10 boxes (holding 10 cigars with 10 in the top row).
This type of box, called a “flat ten” by collectors, was most popular from 1901-1917 but still used by BETWEEN THE ACTS and other brands in the 1950’s.
Advertisers focussed on speed and convenience more than quality. At 1¢ each, that’s no surprise. The The Saturday Evening Post magazine ad offered a box of 50 and a bonus flat ten for a mail-in 50¢, c1910.
Decades later, the speed theme remained, only
the price was different. c1930’s
Ad (right) not in the NCM collection.
Flat Tens (10/10)
A National Cigar Museum Exhibit
© Tony Hyman
P. Lorillard’s best selling small cigar, one of history’s most common cigar tins. Before 1911 the brand was made by Thos. Hall, then American Tobacco Co., then American Cigar Co.
[2991]
The tissue interior was attractive
and in keeping with the design the
brand used for it’s 50 and 100 boxes.
[3590]
How P.Lorillard packed their popular smoke.
Most 10/10 small cigars were packed in
some sort of larger cardboard box.
Not in NCM collection. [w0000]
Look carefully and you’ll see the cut out which
will stand up when the lid is tucked in the
back of the box behind the tins. This is the most modern version of the tin. Note no THH logo.
[w0000]
In 55 years collecting, and seeing thousands of red BETWEEN THE ACTS, I’ve seen only 3 black ones. Marked as made by American Tobacco (c1900) and by P.Lorillard (after 1911) so around for a while. Anyone know the story behind it? [11031]
The version dating from after WWII (that’s 1940’s and 50’s to the history-challenged) no longer has
Hall’s T-H-H logo and adds the press buttons.
[w00601]
M. Foster, Fact. 8, 3rd NY City, 1898.
One of the first brands to appear for sale
packed in a flat ten.
[2989]
Victor? Victor over what? Unusual half-tone of woman languishing on a couch. Cigars by the Modnelis Cigarette Co., New York City c 1899.
One of the earliest known 10/10’s.
[2984]
D.H. McAlpin & Co., Fact. 22, 3rd NY City, 1904.
[2994]
H. Mandelbaum, Fact. 1300, 3rd NY City c1900
[2985]
WINSOME and CUTE. How can you beat it?
Fact. 7, 2nd NY City c1922
Baltimore and NY City were the two centers of little cigar manufacture. Fact. 593 Maryland, The brand and factory owned by the Tobacco Trust. c1905.
[2988]
Art deco design influences are clear on this distinctive tin made in Fact. 649, 1st NY (Long Island) as a private label for National Cigar Stands.
Tweenies is an unusual frontmark.
[2982]
Made in Fact. 593 Maryland in 1904. On the break up of the Trust in 1911, the brand remained with American Tobacco Co.
[3578]
1913 ad for PICCADILLY.
[3174]
Made in Puerto Rico around 1915 by a branch of American Tobacco Company.
[3581]
Interior labeling is unusual in 10/10 boxes
but tissue or foil liner is typical.
[3582]
Surbrug was an important manufacturer of smoking tobacco, makers of which rarely also made cigars.
Made pre-WWI in Factory 57, 2nd Dist. of Virginia.
[2993]
Curved to fit your pocket, patented in 1899.
Cigars made by American Tobacco in Fact. 26, Virginia, perhaps around 1905.
[2992]
Clover Tobacco Co., Fact. 185, 14th NY,
Irvington, New York, 1946.
[2987]
Very rare box used by I. Lewis, Fact. 11282 in Newark, New Jersey. Not in the NCM collection.
[w 0000]
P. Lorillard, Fact. 17 in Virginia, c1955.
Mona Lisa is one of dozens of famous artworks
reproduced on cigar boxes.
[2983]
