You just don't see many of these tins and sadly the outside is rough but condition of the inside great. (Does any know how you can reverse the lid!!!!). Manufactured by A.Baker & Co London. Founded in 1898. They were mainly retail and the factory closed in 1921. "Houris" cigarettes were hand made and I would date this tin circa 1898. Some of their other brands included "Nutts"-"King Lear" & "Blue Stocking".

bacco

It's a bugger aint it.

I've seen it done by cuting the corners, but it's a mess.

Because of the curve you'd have to cut each corner in three places I'd guess.

I can't imagine it could be done by force without the corners splitting.

Maybe if you heat it up a bit. 

Whoever owned this one before me threw the bottom away.

 I have displayed mine open on the counter and filled it with cigarettes from an old Top Hat pack. The top has totally gone , but the inside is perfect and so good to look at until the day I find a complete one. I've even tried to photocopy the top and stick a paper label on the outside, but my photocopier's not that good. Cheers Broadie

Hi hilbert & broadie, I see you both have same problem. However, I think I'll have to wait until a better one comes up (if ever). This "Great Auk" tin by the same firm A.Baker & Co posted has similar problems with the top but great inside. It is a lovely tin.

bacco

This "NUTT'S" tin is another brand from A.Baker & Co. A very colourful tin and in very good condition. Again, these cigarettes were hand made. You still see these tins around but some in poor condition.

bacco

This is another A Baker & Co tin. "King Lear" cigarettes hand made around 1900- 1905.I was interested in the origin of the brand title taken from Shakesphears "King Lear". I looked up the quotations to see if there was any reference to smoking.

"Give me an ounce of 'Civet', good apothercary, to sweeten my imagination;

there's money for thee- "King Lear"--4--6--120.

I know!  it makes you wonder the sort of market this firm were going for and it was not aimed at the ordinary working man and the cost must have been prohibitive.

bacco

This is the last of my A.Baker & Co tins. With another unusual brand name "King Bruce", no doubt named after "Robert the Bruce" (1274-1329) was the king of Scots who secured independence from England. I find it difficult how a London manufacturer can justify a big market for this particular brand. However, I have not seen this tin before and maybe it life expectancy was short lived. You never know there maybe a new brand in the pipeline "King Salmond" if he gets his way.

Anyone have other tins etc from this company???

bacco

From the archive. Sorry for poor picture quality.

 Hi hilbert, Broadie, Bacco & Cook Jnr.

The Houris tin I have is slightly different and is for 100 cigarettes. Very rough on top but nice inside. Could anyone help me and give me a value for it? It has been donated to the Oxfam shop i work at and I was wondering what price to put on it?

Thanks for your help.

Sophie

Thanks Cookie Jnr,

much appreciated.