Overview
Identification is highly confident based on explicit printed text. The inside lid features the 'Rothenberg & Schloss Cigar Company' logo and a 'Copyright 1926 by A. J. G. ' mark.
Identification
Vintage Mississippi River Crooks Cigar Box by Rothenberg & Schloss, 1926 Copyright
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Produced by the Rothenberg & Schloss Cigar Company, a notable regional distributor and manufacturer historically associated with the Midwest. The 'Mississippi River Crooks' brand reflects the regional marketing of the era, and the 1926 copyright alongside the Class D tax permit firmly places this in the interwar period of American tobacco production. The secondary market for mid-20th-century cardboard cigar boxes is broad but generally low-value, driven by casual collectors of tobacciana, regional history buffs, and crafters.
Maker / Origin
Rothenberg & Schloss Cigar Company
Condition & Value
The box shows typical wear for its age and cardboard material. The edge wear and the specific stain in the upper left of the lid are notable condition factors.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for mid-20th-century cardboard cigar boxes is broad but generally low-value, driven by casual collectors of tobacciana, regional history buffs, and crafters. Supply is relatively high, and demand is steady but price-sensitive. Cardboard boxes typically command less than their wooden counterparts unless they feature exceptional lithography or crossover collectible themes. Most sales occur on eBay, Etsy, or at local antique malls.
Value Drivers
▲ Intact inner lid graphics with clear 1926 copyright and pricing details anchor the historical appeal.
▲ Presence of the Class D permit sticker adds verifiable authenticity to the era.
▲ Exact brand and maker identification (Rothenberg & Schloss) appeals to regional tobacciana collectors.
Concerns
▼ Cardboard construction generally commands lower prices than wooden cigar boxes from the same era.
▼ Visible staining on the upper left lid and edge wear limit the appeal for strict condition-grade collectors.
▼ Unverified presence of the original paper tax stamp; a missing stamp reduces historical completeness.
Best Venue
List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or Etsy as a fixed-price 'Buy It Now' item. An optimistic list price of $20-$25 allows room for buyer offers, with an expectation to settle near $15. Given the low overall value, this is a volume resale item best suited for casual collectors or decorators rather than formal auction.
Upside Potential
If the box retains a fully intact, clearly dated original paper tax stamp on the side or back, or if a buyer is specifically seeking Mississippi River regional advertising to complete a collection, it could reach the $25-$30 high-end retail mark.