Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
The item is definitively identified by its original paper labels and tax stamp. The brand 'Campanella' and maker 'Sulzberger-Oppenheimer Co. Ltd. ' of Philadelphia are explicitly printed on the inner and outer labels. The U. S. Factory No. 555, 1st Dist.
Story
Produced by the Sulzberger-Oppenheimer Co. Ltd. out of Philadelphia, registered as Factory No. 555 in the 1st District of Pennsylvania. The intact Series of 1901 U. S. The 'Campanella' brand utilizes romanticized European imagery, a common marketing trope for premium cigars of the era. The market for antique tobacciana remains steady, though highly stratified. Standard, mass-produced 50-count cigar boxes from the early 20th century often struggle to break $50.
Maker / Origin
Sulzberger-Oppenheimer Co. Ltd.
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes the inner label is intact, vibrant, and retains its original gilding as described. Expected edge wear and outer label rubbing are typical for a 120-year-old pocket item and do not heavily penalize value, provided the hinges are intact and the wood is free of major splits.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for antique tobacciana remains steady, though highly stratified. Standard, mass-produced 50-count cigar boxes from the early 20th century often struggle to break $50. However, small-format 'pocket' boxes (10-12 count) with vibrant, intact stone lithography maintain a dedicated collector base. Buyers prioritize the visual pop of the inner label, the structural integrity of the small wooden box, and the presence of original tax stamps.
▲ Pocket-sized 12-count wooden format is significantly rarer and more collectible than standard 50-count boxes.
▲ Vibrant, gilded stone-lithograph inner label provides strong display appeal.
▲ Intact Series of 1901 U. S.
▼ Cavalier subject matter lacks the premium crossover appeal of Western or Comic character boxes, capping the high-end.
▼ Unverified outer box condition — severe wood splitting or missing outer labels would drop the estimate toward the $100 floor.
Best Venue
For maximum return, consign to a specialized antique advertising auction rather than a general online marketplace. If selling directly online, ensure a high-resolution, well-lit photo of the inner label is the primary image, as this is the primary value driver. An optimistic list price of $295 with offers accepted above $175 is appropriate.
Upside Potential
If the inner label is in true 'Near Mint' condition with zero foxing, fading, or edge tears, and the outer box retains 90%+ of its original paper, the value could push toward the $350-$400 range seen in exceptional examples.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.