Cigarette cases are one of the hottest “new” markets in collectibles and you can still get in on the ground floor of this expanding market if you act fast! These little gems speak elegance like nothing else and are sure conversation starters whenever they come out.
Many of the finest cigarette cases were presentation gifts so look inside for inscriptions and famous names. Art Deco cases are especially prized and those combining enamels and silver are avidly sought by collectors.
Like Fabergé eggs, Russia produced many of the finest and most expensive examples. You can often recognize them by their use of niello, a black metallic alloy used as an inlay in silver and other metals.
The ultimate star in an cigarette case collection would be a Cartier case so always be on the lookout for such a case and learn to recognize the Cartier maker’s mark as fakes are known to exist. Cartier cases will almost always be stamped not only with the Cartier name but also with a model number and often with a French assay mark.
Smart collectors are grabbing up cigarette cases before the market explodes and now is the time for you to start or add to your collection.