Buying snuffboxes..

Walrus1985

A bit OT but hey ho. When my German great Auntie died a few years ago, going through her stuff we found all sorts of things from her childhood relating to the Nazi's. We found books, the kids got issued with from the Hitler Jugend, Reichmark banknotes and a couple of badges. Reading through the books, the amount of brainwashing going on was unbelieveable. She was born in 1925, so was 8 when the Nazi's came to power. Talking to her a few months before she died about the war, she found as a kid being brainwashed, and living in a totalitarian society was just "normal" for everybody at that time. Looking back on it she was sad that she had her childhood robbed by the enviroment, and mind control that was going on. And after the war she found it hard to accept that everything she had been told as a kid by, anybody in authority, (teachers, preists etc.) was a viscious lie. Her biggest regret was that she lost her childhood to a monstrous cult.
Her parents were from Luxembourg so weren't sympathetic in anyway to the Nazi's, but had to keep up appearences so the Gestapo didn't get hold of them. They told my auntie and her siblings that the Nazi way was wrong, but when you as a kid are being brainwashed from everybody else in authority it was hard for her to see what was right and wrong.
At the end of the war she met my Grandma's brother, who was in the English army rebuilding Germany. They got married soon after and were so until my uncle's death in 2003. Sorry about being OT, but thought it would be interesting to share.

Stefan

Snuffster

And it was, thanks Stefan. A dark but fascinating time. When I worked in hate crime I met the author of 'An Englishman in Auschwitz', an English Jew who just got caught up in the wrong country as war was declared. 60 odd years later we had to deal with his front door getting swastikas's sprayed on it. The nazi evil still lurks.

Walrus1985

It was really interesting talking to her about it. A whole other world. It's like my dad, he's going out with a Romanian, who was bought up under Ceaucescu (spelling ?). Again, it's like seeing an alien world. I'm just glad we live where we live.

Stefan

Snuffster

With you there..

Uwe

Agree...

hooked

I really thought I wanted one of those wood snuff boxes, but had imagined that it would have a clover on it! Well, this one will be on the way to me this next week. Anyone seen one like it or know anything about it's origin. Claiming to be German made and that's all I have to go on at this time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/320725974701

Snuffster

The clover boxes are French, made in the Jura region, and also have other designs on them - lady's head, scroll work etc and this is almost certainly one of them - they were exported to Germany not made there. The inlay is a nickel alloy, not silver, called maillechort. Excellent boxes and no reason why this should not still be a great snuff box.

OscarWabbit

Why do you need a snuff box? I've never understood this. Unless you buy several or use smash-boxes as well, using a snuff box limits you to one snuff. That's contrary to how I snuff. I like to keep about 4-5 different snuffs on the go at all times, so I use smashboxes instead. They work great, and are cheap as f**k.

I'm glad others enjoy these contraptions but I'm still to be sold on the idea. I'd rather spend the money on more snuff!

hooked

I'm with you on the reasoning Oscar, I carry 10-20 different kinds at all times in my truck (in a plastic 2lb coffee container) I threw that in for my level of class revealed, yeah, working class. So to spend $60 on a wood box that holds just ONE snuff IS weird. It's for appearances sake I think more than anything, maybe something to grab someone's interest, who knows...

Koba22

Like I've said somewhere else on here, I typically have either my silver or wooden box on me with one type of SP, and I'll use that all day. I believe there are quite a few others that 'opperate' in this way, but then there are people who switch and swap all day, its personnal preference. Like hooked says, appearance is a main thing with a box, but I just like the whole ritural involved with having a nice silver box.

n9inchnails

I think having a nice silver or wood snuff box adds to the snuff experience.

transistor

@oscarwabbit We all know you'd rather buy MORE SNUFF. As if you need anymore! ha ha
I also like the smashboxes, but I really like my snuffbox for the snuff I'm taking the most of ATM. Such as Tom Buck. Then I'll occassionally pinch out of the smashers as well. Usually I limit myself to one PRIMARY snuff throughout the day with several different "desserts" at certain times.....

bob

Great thing to have for the snuffs you buy in bulk. So kind of ends up a money saver after some time. If you do it that way. Hooked don't worry I can't afford a snuff box not really. (which is to say sure I could but then what about food).

Snuffster

Why a snuff box: because a good one is a beautiful thing, because they make taking a pinch feel more luxurious than something taken out of a tin with a health warning on it, because they are elegant, because some people only ever use one snuff at a time, like me, because every pinch is a moment of pleasure and a snuff box suits that moment. Pleasure. Like. Dislike...all 100% subjective.

transistor

NOT subjective! Snuff boxes rule!

Snuffster

Speaking of which, what snuff boxes are you using at the moment?

SnuffHead

When the postman arrived with my Nathaniel Mills silver snuffbox (Birmingham 1837) I filled it up with J&H Wilsons top mill. Oh! how it changed my snuff taking. You can't beat a good box!

transistor

@snuffster I'm using my Teak and and my Zebra wood Tripletechs. I love those boxes. I also have a soft spot for smashboxes. Oh how I wish I could find a double compartment tripletech. That would be ultimate IMO.
But right now just been carrying both Tripletechs. Still looking for an affordable, smooth and plain silver box.

Koba22

Anyone into their snuff bottles? Got a few hundred Pounds or Dollars spare?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1867-LUDWIG-II-Pewter-Portrait-Snuff-Flask-w-Duster-NR-/220730556987?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item336491023b

Snuffster

I think he just pulled the price out of the air because its seemingly old and therefore worth lots. There's a long spiel about Ludwig, all very nice, and hardly anything about the flask apart from its pewter and he thinks its from the 1800s. I just don't see it being worth what he's asking.

Any flask experts out there with an opinion?

Koba22

I agree @snuffster, I just put it up for a laugh! £330 for it is a joke, but I do love the fact hes just copied and pasted a wikipedia page onto the auction.

Snuffster

I love these jokers, if its old and looks like a snuff holder put a few notes on the end of the first figure that springs to mind. I wouldn't assume an old violin - which I know equally nothing about - was worth a load of cash, so there's not excuse.

hooked

I just wanted to announce that I couldn't be more pleased with the new old wood box, the picture in the E-bay listing didn't do it any justice. I don't know what I was thinking about the construction of these boxes, like they were pieced together by the brass metal on the ends? Mine isn't adorn with any metal on the ends of the box, and duh, it's a solid piece of wood that it's made from. I like those moments...

snuff-belgium

I'm selling my silver snuffbox dating 1854

Exchanged it with Gsnuff for 2 razors

Gsnuff

am interested.... and just happen to have the Feather :)
sending PM

Gsnuff

Do I have the right Feather?

snuff-belgium

@ Gsnuff mail send, thanks

PipenSnusnSnuff

I just acquired a wooden snuffbox, completely hand-carved in Sweden in 1914, in an eBay deal. It's showing a good deal of wear, and likely will leak. I reckon it will be more of a conversation piece than anything else. But someone went to great pains to make it, and to carve a deer on the lid. I can't help but think some (talented) amateur woodcarver spent hours and hours making it for a beloved snuffer, and that's why I bid on it. Fortunately it didn't cost much.

I tried to post a link to photos, but it doesn't appear to be working. If I can figure out why, I'll add one later.

Uwe

@PipenSnusnSnuff: That shows you are a real snuffing gentleman.

Uwe

This beautiful one I have received yesterday. It's great and I just feel fine putting my daily SP into it and carrying it around.

Snuffster

It works ok with no leaks? That spring button is usually on pill boxes, with a single hinge directly opposite which clogs with snuff.

Uwe

Yes, nearly without leaks. Some very very few crumbs only. Nice.

Snuffster

Congratulations, it looks very nice indeed.

PipenSnusnSnuff

@Uwe: I'm flattered by your compliment, thanks very much. Nice score on the new snuffbox. Does the crest have any special significance, or is it merely decorative?

Uwe

@PipenSnusnSnuff: Thanks. It's the crest of the German Federal Land of Bavaria. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria

PipenSnusnSnuff

Ah, Bavaria. I visited there in the early 1980's. Beautiful region.

Snuffster

I wonder if it was some kind of limited edition from one of the German makers?

Uwe

I don't know. I have purchased it here: http://www.snuff-and-more.de/shop/Geschenke/Schnupftabakdose-Zinn--Bayern-.html

Spyro

I've seen that box before. It is pretty.

Uwe

Yes it is, and it's working wonderful together with a silver snuff spoon. And: 20 Euro is a good prize for it, I think.

Gsnuff

@snuff-belgium - I took the 1854 box out for a spin today .... Wonderful! Not only is it classy and elegant, I was blown away by how much it holds. Something like 5g-10g. The fit of the lid is perfect...not a single crumb. I am looking forward to giving it serious pocket time.

Thanks for a great trade!

Snuffster

A feather is presumably one hell of a razor if you can swap it for a silver snuff box.

Spyro

lol Snuffster

Gsnuff

:)
Feather was just the opening offer. In the end, we both came out ahead of the game.

theratroom

Hello I thought you guys would be interested in my eBay France win http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120755321854&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT I got fed up of being outside on eBay UK so started looking on France and Germany with the help of Google translate I recommend it.

Gsnuff

I'm packing the box from snuff-belgium (filled with Quit) and was concerned about scratches from other pocket metal like keys and coins. So I made my snuffbox a snuffwallet. Now Im thinking.... a briefcase for the wallet? ;)

snuffbrant

@Gsnuff ... sounds like those russian nesting dolls ... one inside the other, inside the other, etc. only for snuffboxes, wallets, briefcases, etc.

Gsnuff

... you're on to something.... ya think there is a market for a babushka snuffbox? Just a single small doll with snuff inside. The top half could have a spoon attached! I couldn't find a single one on the internet, so we would have first mover advantage. All we need is a patent.... think its 'nonobviouse'?

:)

khalid

Just bought this on ebay, drunken impulse and paid a bit more than I would have liked. The shape appealed to me.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160624571438&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

@theratroom Nice looking box. +1 on the ebay.fr and ebay.de.

snuffbrant

Gsnuff ... you get all the credit ... could be a surprise snuff at the center ... ha!