Circa 1910 Old Mill Cigarettes Tobacco Pack sold for $6,600

Robert Edward Auctions (Dec 3, 2023)

Lot # 722: Circa 1910 Old Mill Cigarettes Tobacco Pack - T206 and T210 Era!

Addendum (11/17; 3:30 PM): Please note that we have removed the language referred to this as "unopened" since it was produced in a slide-shell that makes it easier to examine than other packs of the era in the absence of the original cellophane wrapping.

Presented is an original pack of Old Mill cigarettes (Factory 25, Dist. VA.) dating from the era of T206 and T210 tobacco cards! This is a remarkable rarity. A T206/T210-era pack is far rarer than collectors realize. In fact, this is just the fourth Old Mill example we have offered in the past twenty years! Over the years we have seen and been offered countless unopened tobacco packs (all turned down by REA, including numerous erroneously dated "graded" packs) that allegedly were from the T206 era and which, upon researching the actual dating of the packs, were from a more recent era. We have also seen numerous unopened packs offered for sale and at public auction elsewhere as possibly containing a T206 that, upon checking the packaging, with a little research, were simply not from the T206 era. We should clarify that there is absolutely no guarantee that there is a T206 or T210 inside this Old Mill pack. These packs were originally issued with cellophane wrapping and a slide shell that may have been opened and examined in the past.

This Old Mill pack was discovered eight years ago at an estate sale in Bismarck, North Dakota, by an advanced tobacco-pack collector. The sale featured several vintage cigar and tobacco packs dating from the 1910-era, including a few Fatima packs along with a variety of other brands, but obviously the highlight was the Old Mill packs with the original outer carton. There was a total of ten Old Mill packs at the time of the original sale, two of which had their original cellophane wrapper still intact (REA sold one of these packs in 2017). The remaining eight packs (including the one offered here) were all without cellophane wrapper. This particular pack was later shrink-wrapped by the original purchaser for the sole purpose of keeping the tobacco particles from leaking out.

While collectors will appreciate this pack for its tremendous rarity regardless of its condition, the pack has miraculously survived in Excellent condition over the past century. Bright and clean with a hole on the bottom panel, the pack remains firm and crisp. The tax stamp and slide are all fully intact. This is a fascinating and exciting item for any advanced T206, T210, or pack collector. Opening Bid $500.

Final Bid with Buyer's Premium (20%): $6,600