Another nice Cigarette Cabinet very similar to the Kinnear previously posted. Franklyn Davey & Co were a very old firm founded in 1780 and making popular blends of Snuff and Tobacco such as "Blackberry Returns" - "Bonfire" - "Bristol Shag" and "Velvet Virginia" to name just a few. Moved to the manufacture of cigarettes in 1890s which were displayed loose in cabinets such as this and sold by weight. Became a branch of The Imperial Tobacco Co Ltd in 1901.This is owned by a well known collector and has some nice tins displayed. Cigarette brands included "Velvet Virginia" - "Loadstone" - "Nimble Dick" etc etc.

Bacco

(Can someone turn the picture right way up please)

Like a record baby.

Bacco, are you telling me these cabinets didn't have tins in them, they had loose cigarettes?

Where would the tins be displayed?

 Hi hilbert,

Thanks for turning the picture around, Yes! these cabinets were used for displaying loose cigarettes with the brand name on the glass and price per oz which varied. Sold in paper bags like loose sweets were sold. However, the tobacco in the loose cigarettes exposed to the air, just dried up and would burn very quickly, hence the vacuum packed tins which made the cabinets obsolete but ideal for collectors to show of their tins or packets.

bacco