Cool tobacco item at the antique mall today

[NiceDocter]

Saw this metal display box today…… too pricey for me at $750 but pretty neat….

[Wildfireschulte]

Very cool find - LOTG sold a similar Polar Bear box in their August 2017 auction for $2400. That lot included an unopened Polar Bear tobacco pack.

[philliesfan]

Wow nice item!

[NiceDocter]

Thank you for all the feedback and messages about this item. I was fortunate enough to run into the booth owner when I went back today and work a deal. It’s an unusual item for sure! First decent antique store thing I’ve seen in years.

[perezfan]

Congrats.... great pickup! Really love those graphics.

[CW]

Very cool piece and congrats on making a deal for it!

The front and top are nice and everything, but the side graphic really brings the wow factor.

[1880nonsports]

it's a well known store bin. Likely 15-20 known. Fair condition. I would put the current auction value OVER 1000.00. I bought mine 30 years ago :-)

PS: The Polar packs run about 2000. +/-

[1880nonsports]

could use a cleaning. The knob on top is original. I can't tell if the inner chain is present.

[Baseballcrazy62]

Really nice find!

[Lucas00]

That is really cool. I remember a few years ago, I think before I joined the forum, at a really gruff antique place (I'd almost call it a barn). There was a really nice Period Piedmont cigarette metal sign. I think it was $1000. I remember it being quite tall, probably was 3-4 feet tall or so. 100% original and in quite nice condition.

Probably worth that, but never was my focus. It would've been a match in heaven with this piece.

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

Saw this metal display box today…… too pricey for me at $750 but pretty neat….

V nice...congrats...don't polish...leave as is...

[NiceDocter]

Leaving it alone for now but seeking input from a metal sign restorer as well. My inclination is to leave it "as is" . Im getting a lot of enjoyment out of owning it..... its a great hobby when you get something unusual!

[1880nonsports]

surely you know there's a difference between "cleaning it up" and polishing it? Was at the hardrock playing cards all night after football all day and admittedly could have articulated myself better. Tin collecting has been around for a long time. There are people out there who know what they are doing. It all depends on the degree of intervention an owner wants performed all the way up to conservation and/or restoration. You are right to suggest everyone looks at things differently.

BTW - I still haven't seen another pigskin tin despite endless days wandering the streets in search of one. Swear yours was mine - one of many mistakes I've made. If not in my house - then I guess it belongs in your fantastic accumulation!

Looking a little more closely at the damage and soiling I feel that my original suggestion of a valuation was a bit high and thinking the original ask of 750. was about fair retail - a price you managed to negotiate DOWN - AND you are happy with having it. It's a great man cave item whether you fix it up or enjoy it as is.

[1880nonsports]

just FYI - in the described condition - that sign showing the pack likely at the higher end of a 600. to 1000. valuation.