Vintage Humidor evaluation: Opinions wanted

[xrundog]

I picked up an old humi today. I can tell by the construction, lining(tin and glass) and hardware that it's old. But I've never seen one like this. I think the wood is walnut. But it has been machine grooved and then gouged across the grooves. I think the intent was to fake tiger oak or quarter sawn oak. If this was done recently, I'd be pissed. But it appears to have been done long ago. It SMELLS old. My question is:

Was this technique used in the old days by humidor companies to save money? Basic walnut being cheaper than fancy oak. Or is it just an older attempt at fakery?

I'm going to refurb and update it. But I'm curious. I'm interested in any opinions.

[dratk00l]

How old do you think it is?

I only ask because according to some people's accounts of the history of cigars, humidors are a newer thing.

Most cigars were sold with people not caring about the humidity, and in fact expected them to be dry and harsh (a Dutch thing).

I was acutally looking for an "antique" humidor myself until I read this, Page 18 of "Nat Sherman's A Passion for Cigars" by Joel Sherman:

"Cigars of that era were not only a lot harsher than the ones we enjoy today, they were made of dry tobacco. Folks just didn't have the technology to keep their cigars moist, like Americans prefer to do now, so if someone ever tries to sell you an antique humidor, you're better of buying the Brooklyn Bridge. They just didn't have them."

And then he goes on to say this about the first store humidor on page 112:

"And remember it was an Englishman - Alfred Dunhill - who first popularized the humidor, installing one in his London shop back in 1907."

When home humidors became popular, I don't know. But he did say that his dad helped people design them in rooms of their homes in the 1960's.

So, that is why I am asking how old you think it might be. I was in the market for an "antique" until I read this.

Was this any help to you?
Alex

[xrundog]

Sargent was making humidors in the early 1900s. There were a few others. Antique may not be a proper term. I like vintage better. Early ones used various types of "milk" glass. Later ones used tin. Then there were combos of glass and cedar. Some 60s and 70s used cardboard and cedar(cheapies). Lot of overlap too. Cost was always a consideration.
This one has tin (or a thin stainless type metal)on top, and white milk glass below. Thin cedar strips make the "seal". Based on what I've seen, I'm guessing 40's. Maybe 30s? The grooving appears to have been done by a machine. That's why I suspect it's factory finished like this. I think it may be an old Dectur Industries box. The label that would be on the bottom is long gone. As is the felt. Nice box though! It will rehab nicely. Here's pics:

http://galleries.cigarweekly.com/xru...bum.php?page=1

[dratk00l]

Nice pictures. Looks like it might have been used for displaying smokes in a store at one time. I think it's legit. Vintage is more of a proper term for that box, doesn't look like it was meant to be an "antique" knock-off. Sorry if I gave you too much information on the reply.

You will have yourself a nice humidor either way though.

Is the closing clasp magnetic? Not too clear in the second picture.

I like it alot.
Alex

[max_buck]

Based from your pics, I'd say it is made of quarter sawn oak. Oak will darken like that with age. It is to yellow for walnut which has more of a chocolate brown color. Based on the color and style you are probably right about the age at 30's-40's, possible even 20's...

[xrundog]

Max, That's what I thought initially too. What the pictures don't convey is the texture! Quartersawn or tiger oak would be sanded smooth and varnished to enhance the grain. What looks like grain is actually grooves and gouges. Dark stain was used in an effort to enhance the effect. The box looks dirty but is actually stained. No varnish either. Or very little.

[max_buck]

You're right about the pics not conveying the texture well, and the only place I can detect texture is on the sheen at the front edge of the lid, and that small area seems to have natural wood grain texture. I'm still pretty certain it is oak, and posative it is not walnut.

I've seen furniture from the 20/30/40's with that appearence, (which is why I think the age you suggest may be correct), but it was veneer. However, this appears to be solid wood. If it isn't, the veneer was very well done.

I've also seen wood treated with a wire brush (or somehting like it) to remove a scant bit of the softer material of the growth rings. By rubbing on stain, the depressions in the softer wood grain areas would hold and absorb more of the stain, thereby darkening it and enhancing the grain more than normal staining, a method similar to skrimshaw. Is this a possability?

[max_buck]

No matter what matterial, or how it was done it looks great!
I would suggest a good cleaning (if you feel it needs it), but don't refinish. Refinishing may reduce the monotary value, and posably the asthetic value.

[xrundog]

Hmmmm. I guess it COULD be a decorative effect. The wire brush suggestion has some merit. But if nobody knows what the hell it is, how valuable could it be? My main concern is to have a vintage look with modern function. I think I will clean it and put some non-invasive type restorative finish on it and see what it looks like.

[qajariaq]

The wood looks to me like quarter-sawn oak (is that a ray running towards the right front corner of the box in the photo?)

The wire brush distressing is very possible - it is still used today to "age" wood - but its hard to tell just from photos. Never seen quarter-sawn with this type of treatment, but anything is possible.