Antique snuff box collecting is an easy and affordable hobby, because there is plenty of scope for starting an antique snuff box collection cheaply; as well as numerous places both on and offline line that can be used to source antique snuff boxes. There has never been a better time to start collecting snuff boxes.

Antique snuff boxes come in all shapes and sizes and are made from all manner of materials, including; gold, silver, copper, pewter, iron, tin, wood, bone, horn and papier-mâché. Many are inlaid with precious metal and stones; or intricately carved or engraved with beautiful patterns, that make antique snuff boxes a work of art in themselves.

Several snuff box types are very collectable and are therefore priced accordingly, but many fall within the few pounds per item bracket and can be found in car boot sales, flea markets, charity shops, as well as antique shops and of course online at dedicated web sites and auction sites such as the ebay antique snuff box section.

Historically, snuff boxes initially started as functional boxes just to keep a person’s snuff tobacco safe and dry. Most pocket snuff boxes are around 6cm long, 4cm wide and about 2cm deep. They are therefore big enough to hold around a day’s worth of snuff.

One thing holds common with snuff boxes however, that being because of their very practical build purpose; they must be snuff proof. They mustn’t leak snuff and they must keep the snuff in good condition.

It is also interesting to note, that most snuff boxes have their hinge on the outside of the box. Initially this may appear strange, but it’s not without good reason – powdered snuff is very fine and clogs hinges, therefore having the hinge on the outside ensures the lid always closes tightly and the box keeps the snuff in good condition!

Many intricate snuff boxes have been made over the last few hundred years, and as snuff was as the most common way of using tobacco in yester-year, there is an abundance of snuff boxes available to buy.

There are many books available on the internet covering antique snuff box collecting. For a selection, click snuff books.

It is widely recorded that Napoleon Bonaparte used up to 7lbs of snuff per month and received as gifts many elaborate snuff boxes.

One discovered assassination attempt on Napoleon’s life was the stuff of modern spy thrillers, it involved the plotters infiltrating a group of workmen restoring Malmaison and switching Napoleon’s favoured snuff box with one laced with poison. The plan was foiled.

As a snuff user, I like to collect snuff boxes both for everyday use and for display purposes - there’s nothing like actually using an antique snuff box for storing your snuff in, knowing that the same snuff box has been used for generations and that you’re continuing to use the snuff box for the purpose that it was originally created.

However, if you’re not a snuff user do not let it put you off antique snuff box collecting, snuff boxes can be used as trinket or pill boxes instead, if you like to collect antiques that have a modern day purpose, snuff boxes can be very practical indeed.

So don’t delay, explore the wonderful world of antique snuff box collecting today.

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Snuff by Ursula Bourne, a 32 page book packed with information on snuff with over 40 illustrations; is now available through Snuff Store.

On the back cover of Snuff, the publisher gives a short description of the snuff book’s contents.

‘A surprising number of people in Britain take snuff regularly, though proportionally far fewer than a hundred years ago. There are still many varieties of snuff available from specialist tobacco shops. In common with many other habits, snuff-taking was accompanied by a range of accessories which are illustrated in this book. A snuffer needed a snuff box of one or two compartments to carry his snuff around, and if he used a bottle he would also need a spoon, a handkerchief and other items. He even needed to know the etiquette of indulging the habit to the best effect for himself while causing the least offence to others. In this book the author explains how snuff first came to Europe, then to Britain, and its history to the present day. She describes how it is made, the firms famous in the trade and the names they gave to some of the infinite varieties they offered for sale or made up to individual requirements.’

Snuff by Ursula Bourne, contains chapters covering; 

The history of snuff.
Snuff making and selling.
Snuff accessories.
Why take snuff?
Concludes with suggested further reading.

The snuff book is filled with interesting illustrations, some of which include snuff manufacturing, snuff shops, reproduction of images from antique snuff books and the like.

We have also linked several other snuff books here.

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Found a lovely poster titled Gulliver’s Snuff Box, inspired by the book Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.

In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together.

You can see the snuff poster in better detail if you click Gulliver’s Snuff Box.

I’ve added Gulliver’s Snuff Box image to my Christmas list!

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Hi All,

We’ve got three items of snuff news for you this week.

1. International credit card payments now accepted.
2. New snuff flavours.
3. New snuff boxes.

International Credit Cards

We’re now able to accept international credit card payments. Initially we had been restricted to UK only, but now we can accept credit cards payments world-wide. A few US and Australian customers noticed this yesterday…

For those of you waiting on this, thanks for your patience.

New Snuff Flavours

We now have the full compliment of Toque flavours, adding chocolate, espresso and menthol to the Toque snuff range.

We have also added by popular request McChrystals raspberry snuff to our McChrystals range.

New Snuff Boxes

We’ve added to our snuff box range. There’s now pewter, metal and some new wooden snuff boxes on site.

We’re waiting on a new delivery of Sharrow Snuff boxes, for those of you holding out for the rosewood. They should be with us by the end of the week.

We are also looking at getting some bespoke silver snuff boxes made. These will come with the ability to be engraved with an image or letters.

It looks like they’ll retail at around £40.00, but the engraving will be included in the price.

Please tell us if you think this is reasonable price, as it’ll be a fair expense for us to explore the idea and we wouldn’t want to stock an item that is considered expensive.

We think they’ll make an ideal Christmas present though!

Other than that, nothing else to report this week.

Many thanks once again for using Snuff Store. We realise that you have a choice and we’re happy that you’ve chosen us!

Kind Regards
Tim & Julia

Snuff Store
Take A Pinch

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Snuff box instructions translated.

Recently we’ve taken delivery of some rather nice handmade wooden snuff boxes. The snuff boxes came with instructions and diagrams in German, which we’ve copied below for our customers and had a friend translate into English.

If there are any mistakes in the snuff box instruction translation, we apologise in advance.

Please scroll to the image at the bottom to see the snuff box operating diagrams. Click wooden snuff box to see further images.

Dear Buyer,

Congratulations on the purchase of this unusual snuffbox.

Finally a wooden box which is operable with one hand and allows for today’s habit of tapping snuff onto the back of the hand.

In addition it is attractive, handy and portable. Something for genuine fans of snuff.

As the box is a new development I’d be grateful for feedback. Should problems arise I’ll of course help.

Other boxes available on request.

Operating Instruction

1. With the thumb press the peg into the opening of the casing to make an outlet for the snuff.
2. Tap the required amount of snuff onto the back of the hand.
3. With the forefinger push the peg back until it closes flush.
4. To refill push the peg in the outlet and pull it out of the opposite side. Now remove the lid.
5. Hold the box in the left hand between thumb and forefinger which creates a funnel in the casing. Refill with snuff.
6. Give the casing a sharp tap and close the lid. Close the box with the peg.
7. Be careful that no snuff is in the hole and between the lid and the casing. The lid always sits so that it goes with the wood grain. The peg is inserted with gentle turns. Never use force.
8. If it doesn’t click the first time, give it a pinch. Although it should still work.
9. Cleaning instruction: Use linseed oil. Polish the box with beeswax as necessary.
10. Should the peg be too stiff or become completely jammed. First try and twist it. If the need arises, sand it down. It is easily replaced. Should the peg be too loose, rotate it around the longitudinal axis, in most cases you’ll find a spot where it will sit firmer.

Diagram

Assembly of a snuffbox to use and refill

Component parts (Bauteile):  

A - Stift = peg
B - Deckel = lid. Bohrung = hole. Einbuchtung = opening (Halbkreis = semicircle). Füllraum = storage space
C - Gehäuse = casing. Wand = wall.

How it works (Funktionsweise):
Verschlossen = closed.
Tabakentnahme = taking snuff.
Nachfüllen = refilling.
Öffnung für den Tabak = opening for snuff.

Snuff Box Instructions

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