Sold! Rare turn-of-the-century tobacco tin sells for $55K at New Hamburg auction

An incredibly rare red and yellow pocket tin, nearly 125 years old, was recently sold for an astonishing $55,000 at a New Hamburg auction. The CEO of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ethan Miller, along with his brother Justin, were thrilled to acquire this near mint condition 3 Strikes chewing tobacco tin. Pocket tins are already hard to come by, but finding one in such pristine condition is considered a significant find in the world of Canadian memorabilia.

According to Miller, the rarity of this pocket tin is amplified by its exceptional condition. He mentioned that there has been very little auction history surrounding the sale of 3 Strikes tins, making this particular tin only the seventh known example to surface since it was originally produced in the early 1900s. Made by the Erie Tobacco Company, this small tin is considered a “cross collectible” due to its sports-themed design.

The highlight of this tin is the vintage baseball player image adorning the front, adding to its appeal for both sports collectors and tobacco tin enthusiasts. The tin garnered attention from collectors, with a pre-auction bid reaching $29,000 before the auction even began. Ed Locke, a seasoned dealer of nostalgia, emphasized the unpredictable nature of rare items in top condition, stating that the final selling price can often exceed expectations.

The discovery of this valuable tin during a home renovation in Kingsville, Ontario, near the original Erie Tobacco factory, adds an intriguing backstory to its journey to the auction block. Initially estimated to fetch between $9,000 to $12,000, the tin’s eventual selling price left the family who found it “gobsmacked.” As Miller aptly put it, collectors can be passionate individuals willing to go to great lengths to complete their collections, often without regard for the cost involved.

Overall, the sale of this rare 3 Strikes pocket tin serves as a testament to the enduring allure of vintage collectibles and the excitement they bring to collectors worldwide. The tin’s impressive selling price not only reflects its scarcity and excellent condition but also underscores the passion and dedication of collectors in pursuit of these rare treasures.