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This is a RARE Allan Line (Royal Mail Steamers) cigarette tin. It was issued made by Ariel Gray & Co in Liverpool England around 1910. It measures approximately 11 x 8 x 1.5 cms and originally contained 20 cigarettes and has a vesta striker to the base. These tins were originally sold to passengers on the cruise line at the time. The condition is very good overall for such a rare tin. There are a few small touch ups in the blue sky area which are not obvious at first glance but can be seen in the pictures above. This does not detract from the presentation of this fantastic collectible tin.

The Allan Line, more properly the Montreal Ocean Steamship Company, was founded in 1854 and began sailing in 1855. They continued to sail until about 1911 when negotiations with the Canadian Pacific Line took place. The company was merged with CP and became known as the Canadian Pacific Ocean Services Limited in 1915. The inside of the tin lid shows that the company sailed between Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Havre and that route was first started in 1888. The lid of the tin depicts a ship that was still being built at the time and is most likely the the "Alsatian" or the "Calgarian" which were completed around 1913.

I dont like to use the work 'rare' in my listings unless it's genuinely justified. You wont find this tin listed in any of the tin reference books and you most likely wont have another chance to own one for a long time, if ever. Only a select group of collectors can boast that they have one of these tins. I have set a reasonable reserve to protect my investment in this tin its genuintely here for sale. This will appeal to tin collectors, shipping collectors, Royal Mail collectors, both Canadian & English collectors and advertising collectors just to name a few. Dont miss your chance to make it yours, it may be the only one you get, especially if I end the auction early.

I post worldwide using Hong Kong Post (reliable and reasonable) charging cost only. Shipping rates will vary according to the purchaser's location. Please note that due to ebay's listing requirements I have had to nominate a shipping cost. I have put $25.00 which is an estimate only. If I can do if for less then you will pay less and vice versa.

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