Recently purchased this tin "KAHIRA" Turkish Grade Cigarettes, manufactured by Godfrey Philips Ltd. who first started the manufacturing of tobacco in 1844 and were based at Commercial St. E1. It also had factories in other parts of the world. They took over a number of other companies such as Abdulla & Co, B.Muratti & Sons, Cavanders and others. This brand "KAHIRA" cigarette originally introduced in 1896 was promoted at the Franco - British  exhibition in 1908  for which it won awards, and sold in this commemorative tin. The exhibition site was near Shepherd's Bush which later became known as White City because all the Pavilions were painted white.

I found this postcard on ebay which shows the Godfrey Philips Ltd Exhibit and dated Oct 1908 Watford.

bacco

 Hi Arkwrights & batleycarr1,

Glad you like the tin as I had not seen it before either. In its heyday, the company was a very big empire producing cigarettes/tobacco for a number of different companies. It was taken over by Philip Morris in 1968 and ceased trading in the early 70s. I found this "White City" brand label produced to celebrate the Franco-British Exhibition in 1908 and you can make out the exhibition stand same as the postcard.

bacco

Good read Bacco - cheers.... keep on collecting, its in your blood.