I’ve just uploaded a pile of pictures of some of my snuff boxes to Filek’s site. Might be of interest to some.Link
Beautiful collection, do you have a favourite one? Thanks for sharing it with us!
My pleasure! I reckon my favourite is the one that I’ve used for the album cover. Sterling silver made in 1838 by Edward Smith. I don’t often take it out of the house though! I have more but I need to get some decent pictures of them before I can post any.
Looking forward to more pictures. There are some beautiful antique snuff boxes out there, I have only one left from around 1920 but I don’t use it often either, mostly because it can’t keep snuff fresh but I like to look at it, sold all others in the past. Personally I haven’t found a silver one yet that can keep it fresh. But then most wooden ones don’t either.
I reckon my best ones for keeping snuff fresh are either the papier mache ones (as the old wisdom always said) or the plastic Robby’s Top Mint box. I tend to use wooden ones for every day though. They seem less prone to getting bashed about in my pocket.
You have some nice boxes there, Tony, including examples of the tabatière made in the Jura region of France. I particularly like your S.S 1838 box and understand your reluctance to put it as risk outside your home. The box at the end of the fourth row is one of Professor Philip Griffiths coveted items (see the Dutch snuffbox mystery). He is anxious to trace the origin of these boxes. Can you shed any light?
I do like those French made boxes, though I understand that the last maker has passed away so there may be no more. At least they are easily obtainable second hand, either on Ebay or in antique shops. Ebay was where I found that “Night Watch” box a couple of years ago. It appears to be silver plated as some of the plating has worn off underneath but there are no markings which would give any sort of clue as to its origins unfortunately. Much as I like it, it isn’t as snuff tight as I would like, let alone airtight, so I rarely use it.The Professor’s Night Watch box page for those who aren’t familiar.
@ermtony Your snuffbox collection is quite vast! I really like the one with the setter on the lid. About how many of those do you actually use?
Although I tend to use the same couple of boxes for my usual choices, I tend to rotate the rest. It works for me anyway!
The box at the end of the fourth row is one of Professor Philip Griffiths coveted items (see the Dutch snuffbox mystery). He is anxious to trace the origin of these boxes. Can you shed any light?
To PhilipS: I answered that mystery on P.Griffiths (guestbook page 13) 2 years ago, never got any reaction to my entrance however. The snuffboxes are made by the Zaanlandse Zilversmederij. The compagny don’t exist any more but there objects are often sold at auctions. To ermtony: I’ve never had a papier mache snuffbox, I always thought that they were of inferior quality. Learned something new today, thanks, I’m going to look for one and try it out.
See that you’ve got a Dixon’s snuff flask. Can’t help but wonder if some hunter back in the day didn’t get confused and prime his nose with gunpowder instead of rappee.
Please recommend a store for me to purchase a nice little snuff box Cheers, Mal from Cessnock AU
@mal - NicotineRush has some nice ones, and they’re on sale right now. I’d also check out ebay.
TA, thanx snuff_n00b Mal
I just purchased this silver snuffbox , here is a pic.
Nice patina; almost looks pewter @Sir_Snuffy
Thanks , the seller said the maker was unknown. After about 2 days of looking at hallmarks I learned the maker was Zaanlandse Zilversmederij.
I’ve just uploaded a pile of pictures of some of my snuff boxes to Filek’s site. Might be of interest to some. Link
I went to the site, but I don’t see your boxes?
That site has changed a lot since Feb 2010. There was an English language section, but only a few of us used it, that’s where Tony had his photos. Check his own site for his collection: http://ermtony.pbworks.com/w/page/42086420/My%20Snuff%20Boxes
Thanks Xander