Antique Pocket Cigar Case
An antique pocket cigar case is a portable receptacle for carrying smokes on the move, combining practical utility with refined personal style.
Antique Pocket Cigar Case
An antique pocket cigar case encompasses small portable containers designed to protect cigars, cheroot and cigarettes while travelling. The selection on this page ranges from simple rectangular forms to torpedo-shaped tubes and novelty designs.
Victorian pieces dominate the available choices, alongside examples from the Edwardian period and earlier Georgian era. Alongside dedicated cigar cases, buyers will encounter related smoking accessories such as vesta cases and cheroot holders.
Forms vary from rigid metal receptacles to flexible leather and crocodile skin book-form pouches. Many incorporate internal clips or straps to secure the contents firmly inside the pocket.
How they were made
Makers utilised sterling silver, solid silver and silver gilt to construct rigid metal cases, often applying intricate engine-turned patterns or reeded designs to the exterior surfaces. Precious metals were frequently worked in London and Birmingham workshops.
Organic materials played a major role in construction, with leather and crocodile leather paired with metal mounts and clasps. More unusual examples combined silver with amber and gold for specialised cheroot storage.
Antique Pocket Cigar Case Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pocket cigar case among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature sterling silver, leather, crocodile leather, silver gilt and amber across Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian periods.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the exterior decoration, such as hand-engraved engine turning or repoussé work, compared to worn or softly cast details. Metal thickness and the structural integrity of hinged lids and clasps also set superior examples apart.
The condition of organic materials dictates overall desirability, with supple, well-preserved crocodile skin and intact leather bindings representing finer craftsmanship. Maker marks and clear hallmarks add authority to the piece.
Sampson Mordan & Co·Zimmerman·Edward Edwards
The Antique Pocket Cigar Case Glossary
- Vesta case
- A small pocket box designed for holding wax matches, frequently found alongside smoking accessories. These often share the decorative motifs of contemporary cigar cases.
- Engine turned
- A mechanical decoration technique that produces intricate geometric patterns etched into metal surfaces. This method was widely used on silver cases during the nineteenth century.
- Silver gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its interior or exterior surfaces. This process provided a richer appearance and protected the underlying metal.
- Cheroot
- A cylindrical cigar with both ends cut square rather than tapered. Cases specifically proportioned for these shorter smokes appear frequently in the listings.
- Reeded design
- A surface pattern composed of parallel convex mouldings resembling bundled reeds. This texture provided both visual interest and a secure grip in the hand.
Antique Pocket Cigar Case: Frequently Asked Questions
What fits inside an antique pocket cigar case?
These cases were historically sized for traditional handmade cigars, cheroots or early cigarettes depending on the specific internal capacity. Many pieces accommodate two or three slender smokes secured by internal straps or clips.
Buyers should check internal dimensions carefully if intending to carry modern vitolas, as historical formats often accommodated narrower dimensions than contemporary smoking preferences.
How do I care for leather and silver cases?
Sterling silver components benefit from occasional gentle polishing with a non-abrasive cloth to maintain their lustre without removing historical hallmarks. Leather and crocodile skin require dry storage away from direct sunlight to prevent cracking.
Conditioning balms should be used sparingly on organic materials, ensuring no residue transfers to the metal mounts or interior linings.
Were these cases used for cigarettes too?
While many items are explicitly formed for cigars or cheroots, some dual-purpose or similarly styled receptacles accommodated cigarettes as smoking habits evolved into the twentieth century. Makers often adapted traditional pocket formats for whichever form of tobacco was popular.
Internal depth and elastic retention bands usually indicate whether a piece was tailored for robust cigars or slimmer cigarette formats.
How can I tell the period of a silver case?
British silver pieces typically feature a series of hallmarks including a maker's mark, a standard mark, a town mark and a date letter that identifies the exact year of assay. Comparing these stamps against historical hallmarking records provides precise dating.
Stylistic cues such as Gothic Revival motifs or heavy Victorian engraving also offer strong indicators of a piece's era when hallmarks are rubbed.