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Up for sale is an exceptionally rare, original vintage 1930s–1940s miniature Chesterfield Cigarettes pack charm/novelty piece. Constructed from heavy pressed paperboard (pasteboard/composition fiber), this tiny piece measures approximately 0.6875” tall and 0.625” wide.
It features classic printed Chesterfield package artwork, complete with the iconic logo, crest, and "Cigarettes" branding. Designed with an original die-cut hole at the top edge, this piece was made as a penny vending machine charm prize or promotional advertising miniature.
Unlike more common 1950s hard plastic versions, fragile paperboard charms from the WWII era rarely survived, making this a scarce collector's piece of mid-century tobacciana and miniature advertising history.
Product Breakdown & Historical Background
Item: Vintage Miniature Chesterfield Cigarette Pack Charm
Brand / Design: Chesterfield Cigarettes (Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.)
Era: Circa late 1930s to WWII 1940s
Material: Heavy Pressed Paperboard / Laminated Composition Pasteboard
Dimensions:
Height 0.6875”
Width 0.625”
Type: Penny Vending Machine Prize / Novelty Charm / Dollhouse Miniature
Why, When & Who Bought Them:
When: Late 1930s into the 1940s. During WWII, metals and early plastics were heavily restricted for war production, prompting manufacturers to produce charm prizes from dense, laminated paperboard.
Why: Produced for 1-cent bulk gumball/vending machine prizes and promotional cigarette brand giveaways to build brand recognition.
Who: Collected by teenagers and young adults in the 1930s and 1940s to hang on charm bracelets, safety pins, keychains, or to display in miniature shadow boxes and dollhouses.
Why It Is Rare Today: Because paperboard absorbs ambient humidity and breaks easily under friction, over 99% of paperboard charms were destroyed or thrown away over the last 80+ years. Finding an intact survivor with readable graphics and an intact hanging hole is a genuine rarity.
Condition Breakdown
Overall Rating: Good Vintage Condition (Authentic Paperboard Age & Character)
Structure & Shape: Constructed from dense, heavy pressed paperboard fiber. Features noticeable natural warping/bowing on top of one side, which is completely expected and typical for 80-year-old organic paper/pasteboard fibers. The die-cut hole at the top remains solid, intact, and fully un-torn.
Graphics & Surface: Front graphic retains clean, readable Chesterfield script, crest details, and original border outlines with authentic age-appropriate surface toning, minor edge rubbing, and light patina.
Please inspect all photos for exact graphic crispness, ruler dimensions, and the subtle side-profile bowing/warping. Ruler is not included in sale.
Add Rare Mid-Century Plastic Advertising Charm To Your Collection With This Tiny Chesterfield Cigarette Pack.
Sweet Remedy Antiques
Item 220260112
