[Joe_G.]

Wow!, very cool, so there is likely a variant we have yet to lay our eyes on (assuming the contract was executed). The cigarette box manufacturer for John Carroll appears to be as follows:

1887-1890+
1) Isaac Friedenwald (Baltimore, MD) 1887, excluding perhaps the last couple weeks of December
- Boxes known in hobby (only one variant)
2) George B. White (Winchester, VA) from Dec. 1887 to early/mid 1888
- Box not studied, certainly would have unique slide, likely also unique shell
3) Munson & Co. (New Haven, CT) early/mid 1888+
- Two distinct variants

The new George B. White box production run is likley measured in months, pretty rare, even if they were making 5,000 boxes per week as stated. Also possible that the manufacturers overlapped, both under contract at same time.

Thank you Pat for a share that us pack collectors find interesting.

Jon, Ruby was introduced about the same time George B. White produced boxes (Nov 1887 vs Dec. 1887) . . . I think I recall your Ruby being from Munson but might be worth a second check. Would be neat to locate a George B. White box. It is unusual for a cigarette manufacturer to jump cigarette box suppliers so frequently. I'm also surprised John Carroll never linked up with the Whiting box company.