Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
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Canada in a Box, Cigar Containers that Store Our Past 1883-1935
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Anatomy of a Cigar Box
Revenue Stamp

The Outer Box      Revenue Stamp      Bottom Brand      Sales      Labour      The Inner Box

As a tobacco product, cigars were taxed by the federal government. To ensure that this tax was reliably collected, the government in 1883 mandated the sale of cigars in standard capacity boxes. Both manufacturers and sellers had a legal role to play in making sure the system worked.


MANUFACTURERS

By law, cigars had to be packed in new boxes. Each box was sealed with a revenue stamp—a government-issued printed paper strip purchased by the manufacturer and cancelled just before shipping. The box and its revenue stamp signalled to a government inspector that taxes had been paid on the cigars inside.

The revenue stamp on the Museum's oldest Canadian cigar box Museum's oldest Canadian cigar box The revenue stamp on the Museum's oldest Canadian cigar box (Regatta), 1880.
The revenue stamp on the Museum's oldest Canadian cigar box (Regatta), 1880, indicates the tax was calculated by weight. After 1883, it would be determined by the number of cigars in the box. (CMC 2001.185.3)

SELLERS

Cigars had to be sold out of the box they came in from the manufacturer. Once empty, a box by law could not be refilled.
The seller was legally obligated to destroy it and replace it in
his display case with a new box of tax-paid cigars.

Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912.
Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912.
Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912.
Cigars displayed in their boxes, Dominion Cigar store, Edmonton, Alberta,1912. Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta, NA-1372-2.

Revenue Stamps 1883-1940: Dates and Designs

Between 1883 and 1935, Canadian cigar "excise" or "revenue" stamps were issued in several dated "series." Those represented in the Canadian Museum of Civilization collection are:


SERIES OF 1883

Revenue Stamps - Series of 1883 - 25 Cigars

Revenue Stamps - Series of 1883 - 50 Cigars

Revenue Stamps - Series of 1883 - 100 Cigars

SERIES OF 1897 / SERIES OF 1915
In 1897, a new issue of cigar revenue stamps was embellished with engravings of images of life in and around Ottawa. The same die proofs were used for the stamp issue of 1915.

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1897 / 1915 - 10 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1897 / 1915 - 25 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1897 / 1915 - 50 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1897 / 1915 - 100 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1897 / 1915 - 200 Cigars

Ottawa Valley lumberjack in traditional costume. The Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal. The building on the left is the Commissariat (now the Bytown Museum); beyond, the Ottawa River and Quebec shore. Victoria Tower, Centre Block, Parliament Hill. Destroyed by fire, 1916. Victoria Tower, Centre Block, Parliament Hill. Destroyed by fire, 1916.

  1. Victoria Tower, Centre Block, Parliament Hill. Destroyed by fire, 1916.
  2. View of the West Block through two archways of the Victoria Tower, Parliament Hill.
  3. The Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal. The building on the left is the Commissariat (now the Bytown Museum); beyond, the Ottawa River and Quebec shore.
  4. Ottawa Valley lumberjack in traditional costume.

SERIES OF 1922

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1922 - 25 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1922 - 50 Cigars

SERIES OF 1924

Revenue Stamp - Series of 1924 - 100 Cigars

SERIES C (1935)

Revenue Stamp - Series C (1935) - 25 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series C (1935) - 50 Cigars

Revenue Stamp - Series C (1935) - 100 Cigars

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    Date Created: March 29, 2007 | Last Updated: October 22, 2009