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Silver Cigarette Cases

Smokers and non smokers alike collect cigarette cases, as they make for interesting conversation pieces that reflect the Western world's age-old fascination with tobacco and the culture that it has spawned. Now most often found at auction, cigarette cases were once sold throughout America in drug stores and mail order catalogs and carried by fashionable circles and members of royalty, such as Princess Margaret.

Cigarette cases are associated with a bygone era of elegance personified by the films of Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. While the health hazards of smoking have been revealed and greatly documented in the years since, the cigarette case remains an iconic curio. In recent years, cigarette cases have undergone a resurgence in popularity due to their elegant appearance and the fact that European lawmakers now require manufacturers to place unsightly health warnings on the sides of cigarette packs.

Cigarette cases fluctuate greatly in value. The most expensive are antique cases made for the Tsar of Russia in the late 19th century, which can fetch many thousands of dollars. English Art Nouveau style cases are also highly sought after and typically command several hundred dollars apiece.


Quick Facts

  • In March 2015, Skinner Auctioneers sold an 18k cigarette case for more than $6,000
  • In 1927, Sears and Roebuck sold a gift set consisting of a cigarette case and a matchbox for $2.75
  • In 2008, Christie's sold a gold and ruby cigarette case manufactured by Cartier for more than $2,000

Recommended Items at Auction

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Konvolut von 8 Deckeldosen: Zigarettendose, 800er Silber, innen Holz, 15,5 x 8,5 x 4,2 cm; Zuckerdos
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
Konvolut von 8 Deckeldosen: Zigarettendose, 800er Silber, innen Holz, 15,5 x 8,5 x 4,2 cm; Zuckerdos
by Auktionshaus Mars
Est: €0- €0
€2606 Bids
Sterling Silver World's Series Pittsburgh Cigarette Case
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver World's Series Pittsburgh Cigarette Case
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $50- $500
$753 Bids
Nine various engine-turned and engraved sterling-silver cigarette cases English 1900-1950 various
Feb 19, 4:00 PM AEDT
Nine various engine-turned and engraved sterling-silver cigarette cases English 1900-1950 various
by For-Auction
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD2203 Bids
Onyx Marble Alabaster Bronze Spine Faux Book Boxes
Feb 12, 11:00 AM EST
Onyx Marble Alabaster Bronze Spine Faux Book Boxes
by MiddleManBrokers
Est: $1- $1,000
$73 Bids
English Sterling Silver 3 Tray Cigarette Case
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
English Sterling Silver 3 Tray Cigarette Case
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$1253 Bids
A large 800 standard silver covered cedar lined cigar case circa 1920 22cm by 15.5cm by 4cm
Feb 19, 4:00 PM AEDT
A large 800 standard silver covered cedar lined cigar case circa 1920 22cm by 15.5cm by 4cm
by For-Auction
Est: AUD200- AUD500
AUD1902 Bids
Russian Silver Niello Cigarette Case
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Russian Silver Niello Cigarette Case
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$1002 Bids
.930 silver middle eastern cigarette case. 179 grams. 8.5 cm x 12.5 cm.
Feb 13, 9:00 AM GMT
.930 silver middle eastern cigarette case. 179 grams. 8.5 cm x 12.5 cm.
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £50- £75
£301 Bid
AN ART DECO SILVER CIGARETTE CASE. 100.6 grams. Birmingham 1929. 9 cm x 8 cm.
Feb 13, 9:00 AM GMT
AN ART DECO SILVER CIGARETTE CASE. 100.6 grams. Birmingham 1929. 9 cm x 8 cm.
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £30- £50
£201 Bid
Antique Russian Silver Trompe L'oeil Cigarette Case
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Antique Russian Silver Trompe L'oeil Cigarette Case
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
Cigar case
Feb 28, 11:00 AM CET
Cigar case
by Henry's Auktionshaus
Est: €220- €880
€2001 Bid
.900 silver niello cigarette case 71g. 8.5 cm x 5.5 cm.
Feb 13, 9:00 AM GMT
.900 silver niello cigarette case 71g. 8.5 cm x 5.5 cm.
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £30- £50
£201 Bid
AN ITALIAN SILVER COLOURED CIGARETTE CASE
Feb 19, 10:30 AM GMT
AN ITALIAN SILVER COLOURED CIGARETTE CASE
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £300- £500
£1801 Bid
A RUSSIAN SILVER CIGARETTE CASE WITH A NEO-CLASSIC DESIGN, CA. 1900
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
A RUSSIAN SILVER CIGARETTE CASE WITH A NEO-CLASSIC DESIGN, CA. 1900
by Helios Auctions
Est: $500- $700
$3001 Bid
Carl Hiess Vienna Austria Gilt Silver Leather Bound and Enamel Cigarette Case
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
Carl Hiess Vienna Austria Gilt Silver Leather Bound and Enamel Cigarette Case
by Taylor & Harris
Est: $200- $250
$1801 Bid
bp parity badge
Antique plated cigar box, floral decorated apron, …
Feb 16, 10:00 AM AEDT
Antique plated cigar box, floral decorated apron, …
by Amanda Addams Auctions
Est: AUD80- AUD150
AUD601 Bid
RUSSIAN GILT SILVER ENAMEL GEMSTONE CIGARETTE CASE
Feb 22, 10:00 AM EST
RUSSIAN GILT SILVER ENAMEL GEMSTONE CIGARETTE CASE
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$501 Bid
OFF. DI BIRMINGHAM E OFF. DI CHESTER, Oggetti vari
Feb 19, 3:30 PM CET
OFF. DI BIRMINGHAM E OFF. DI CHESTER, Oggetti vari
by Benedetto Trionfante Auction House s.r.l
Est: €900- €950
€4001 Bid
Russian silver-gilt cloisonné enamel cigarette case
Feb 25, 4:00 PM CET
Russian silver-gilt cloisonné enamel cigarette case
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €1,000- €1,500
€8001 Bid
Two Sterling Silver Cigarette Boxes, engraved initials to each
Feb 23, 11:00 AM AEDT
Two Sterling Silver Cigarette Boxes, engraved initials to each
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD501 Bid
A SILVER-GILT AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CIGARETTE CASE AND MATCH BOX
Mar 19, 10:30 AM GMT
A SILVER-GILT AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CIGARETTE CASE AND MATCH BOX
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £400- £600
£3501 Bid
(3) PIECE VINTAGE SMOKING ACCESSORIES
Feb 13, 10:00 AM EST
(3) PIECE VINTAGE SMOKING ACCESSORIES
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $60- $120
$101 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Silver Cigarette Cases


Baltic Auction Group

Baltic Auction Group

Akiba Galleries

Akiba Galleries

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales

Chiswick Auctions

Chiswick Auctions