Press Release
New Hamburg, ON, Canada, June 12, 2025 — A rare, Canadian early 1900s 3 Strikes Cut Plug pocket tobacco tin, one of the most important pieces of Canadian tobacco history, was the overall top lot in five days of auctions held May 21st-25th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. The tin came into the May 25th auction with a $10,000-$12,000 pre-sale estimate but ended up bringing $64,900.
All prices in this report are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.
The first three sales were online-only, with no live webcast portion. They included a Toys, Banks & Beatles Memorabilia auction on May 21st, featuring the Christopher Dennett collection; a Vintage Comics & Comic Art auction on May 22nd; and a Soda Advertising & Push Bars ‘When Push Comes to Shove’ auction May 23rd, featuring Part 1 of the Glenn Buchanan collection.
The last two auctions were also online-only, but bidders could tune in to the live webcast to watch lots close in real time. They included a Petroliana, Automobilia & Advertising auction on May 24th, featuring the Wayne Woods collection; and a Soda, Tobacco & General Store Advertising auction on May 25th, featuring Part 2 of the Glenn Buchanan collection.
It’s a common fact that every collector in every category strives to acquire the “holy grail,” “the best of the best” and “the rarest of the rare” to add to their collections. The vertical, flip-lid 3 Strikes pocket tobacco tin checked all those boxes, and was in excellent condition, with colors that were vibrant and glossy. Also, it appealed to collectors in a variety of collecting categories.
The true sleeper lot of the five days also came on Day 5. It was a Canadian 1940s Sweet Caporal Cigarettes single-sided lithographed tin sign, featuring an image of the “Majorette,” the longtime symbol of Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The 60 ½ inch by 18 ¼ inch sign, as much a beautiful piece of art as a tobacco and advertising collectible, brought $16,520, against a $3,000 high estimate.
To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and their slate of upcoming auctions, please visit www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.
