What's In A Box?

Oh for the small joys of flea markets!... Marko found two great cigarboxes at the second hand market in Rotterdam today. And, (i love this part) when i opened them up they were full of old cards of darning wool. By accident, i've accumulated a nice collection vintage sewing goods. I'd like to think that i'll have a cool sewing room someday where i can show them all off.

These cigarboxes are both dutch brands. 'Willem II', named after a Dutch King, was started in 1916 by Harry Kersten with 8 employees. By the 30's the company employed more than 1,000 workers and was eventually taken over by SwedishMatch in the 50's. By the looks of the box and it's contents i'm guessing these date from around the mid 30's.

The 'Hofnar' (Court Jester) is a great find. Just look at those labels. (see below)

The Hofnar story starts when Dutchman Jacobus Heesterbeek has a disagreement with his employer, Texas Cigar Factory, around 1900, and decides from pure dissatisfaction that he can do a better job.


Unfortunately, his financial situation as half-cigar maker and half-farmer is not exactly rosy. He sells a calf in order to buy his first tobacco and begins pounding the pavement with his dogcart. Luckily, business goes well and he is able to found an independent cigar factory in 1903.

It's a really sweet lookin' box. It has a few cracks but it's definately fixable. Has a really nice size too. I paid 5 euro's for the two boxes. They'll make very good looking ukuleles...someday.
Click on the images and ZOOM.