A rare red and yellow pocket can of almost 125 years sold for an amazing $ 55,000 in a new Hamburg auction on Sunday.
When Ethan Miller, CEO of Miller & Miller Auctions, and his brother Justin found the condition of mint almost 3 attacks chewing tobacco can, they knew they had just acquired a little piece of Canadian memories.
Miller explained that pocket cans in general are difficult to get, but a can of pocket in the most grade “is huge” condition.
“When Justin and I saw the image of this can for the first time, we knew it was weird. There has been very little auction history in the sale of 3 cans of strikes,” said Miller.
So little history, in fact, that this is only the seventh known example of this specific can surface brand, since it occurred at the beginning of the 20th century.
The small can, made by the Erie tobacco company, is considered a “cross collectible” thanks to the fact that it is a sports issue.
“One of the most great things … is the fact that it has the issue of baseball.” Miller said “has an image of baseball player from … early century, around 1900, in the front of the can.”
Something that attracted sports collectors and collectors of tobacco tin equally.
“You can imagine some of the rivalry of offers we have seen.”
An offer prior to the auction had already reached the small can of $ 29,000 a few days before it went up.
“When you get something weird in a desirable category and in very, very good condition, you never know how much it will order,” said Ed Locke, a nostalgia distributor for more than 50 years.
The can was discovered during a renovation of the house in Kingsville, Ontario, about 200 meters from the original Erie Tobacco factory.
“I think it was found in a wall cavity and a contractor who was working at that time to … the family … and said that I could want this as a memory or a memory.” Miller said. “No one knew the value.”
Originally estimated at $ 9,000 to $ 12,000, the family was “screwed” and had no idea that the can would sell for that.
“Collectors can be a fun race,” said Miller. “Find something you need to complete your collection, and money is not object.”
