F&J Smith's were a very old tobacco manufacturer based in Glasgow. They joined the ITC in 1901 and were absorbed under the Mitchells umbrella until 1927. This card counter box has done well to survive as most counter containers are tin. They are not very popular with collectors as they are bulky but some are very colourful and are good for display purposes.

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Hi Bacco

Your great box reminded me of a wonderful mirror a friend of mine had about 35 years ago. It was for the same company - 6ft by4 ft, vertical with beautiful type and a range of packets on it - I believe he sold it to Relic, so it may have gone into one of their amazing summer auctions in Marmesbury - thanks for jogging my memory.

Here are another couple of tobacco counter tins. Ogden's did quite a few and the "St Bruno" which is only small and would have held packets of tobacco displayed with lid open. This brand is still available today. The "Pigtail" is a rarer tin but in fair condition and would also have held packets of tobacco.

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 Hi Bacco I like your smith's counter box ,it really is amazing that these things survive. I am posting one or two of mine on the counter theme. The players gold leaf box had a birds egg collection in it when i acquired it , but it's got to be worth keeping. I would be interested to know it's age. cheers Broadie

Hi Broadie, some nice bits there. Your Player's "Gold Leaf Honeydew" introduced in 1900 and withdrawn 1915. The "Rhodian" & "Loadstone" change trays look to be in very good condition.

Have posted another couple of counter tins. Not much age to these and can still be found at fairs

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Here are two of my glass counter jars. E M Hughes Tobacco manufacturer based in Almwch on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. The other one is "Sunripe" cigarettes manufactured by R.J. Hill London, plus a sample packet.

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 Hi Bacco I like your jars . The Sunripe has an interesting slogan, just what is the tone of a cigarette?.  cheers Broadie.

Hi Broadie,

Good question. Not sure if it is to do with the strength/colour of the tobacco. But it rhymes.

Here are another couple of counter tins by Godfrey Phillips, London "Carriage" Virginia Cigarettes and " Sweet Cut" aromatic tobacco.

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Hear are another couple of counter tins by the Glasgow tobacco manufacturer Stephen Mitchell & Sons. "Tam O' Shanter" tobacco is one of my most colourful counter tins and the "Golden Dawn" is quite a nice one as well.

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Loving the Tam O' Shanter.

Were these counter tins filled with loose tobacco?

Can't imagine they put tins in tins.

Hi hilbert,

The counter-tin held packets of the particular brand of tobacco similar to those shown. Loose tobacco was also available and cut to size. 

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With regard to the "Tam O'Shanter" tin. Tha title is taken from a poem by Robert Burns- It depicts Tam fleeng from a fate worse than death on his horse Meg. The lady chasing after him is in fact a Witch, he has come to regret coming into contact with as a result of his liking for the demon drink. The assumption is that the scene with him crossing the bridge in the nick of time as the only way to save himself was to cross water which Witches did not like. Needless to say, the poem is a moral tale for the man who lingers to long in the pub. (Must remember to check out the nearest stream next time I go to the pub)

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