For sale is an original vintage TOPS MILD SCOTCH SNUFF JAR. I believe this 4.65 ounce glass jar was designed as a promotional item. After you snorted all of your tobacco you could use the empty container as a stylish drinking glass. The embossed tin top says “QUALITY HELME SNUFF”. The label is torn on the top (the only way to open the jar) and has surface stains consistent with age. The container measures 4 inches tall and 2 3/4 inches diameter at the top. This item probably dates to the 1930s. An uncommon tobacco collectible.
Snuff is a smokeless tobacco made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is “snuffed” into the nasal cavity, delivering a swift hit of nicotine. Traditionally it is sniffed or inhaled lightly after a pinch of snuff is either placed onto the back surface of the hand, held pinched between thumb and index finger, or held by a specially made “snuffing” device.
The Helme Tobacco company was founded as the Railroad Mills Snuff Mill in 1866 by a pair of brothers from New Jersey. In the 1880s, Helme purchased land and built 105 homes for his workers in New Jersy. In 1888 the community was granted status as a borough and Helme named it after his daughter, Oliva Antoinette, who was nicknamed Etta. In the 1930s there were 400 Helme employees and the firm was one of the world’s largest producers of snuff. At his death, Helme was reported as having been the second wealthiest man in New Jersey.
