Antique early 20th century bakelite cheroot holder in original case rare !!!

Antique early 20th century bakelite cheroot holder in original case rare !!! This very collectible cheroot holder ( small cigar ) is in its original leather or suede case. There is a makers mark in gold lettering but unfortunately I can't quite make it out? Lovely amber colour.

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some age related wear

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Amazing brass lock clicks and works beautifully

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12 cm tall

2 cm wide

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cheroot is a type of cigar, typically thin, open at both ends, and often made with finely chopped tobacco filler. The key differences lie in their construction and origin: cheroots originated in Asia and are often un-tapered with cut ends, while Western cigars are generally cylindrical rolls of long-filler tobacco with a binder and a spirally rolled wrapper leaf.

Cheroot Characteristics

Open Ends: Both ends of a cheroot are open, unlike the tapered or rounded head of a Western cigar.

Construction: They use finely chopped tobacco filler and a single leaf wrapper, making them simpler and often cheaper to produce.

Origin: They originated in the Tamil language of southern India and Sri Lanka and are popular in Southeast Asia.

Variety: They can range in size from small to quite long and wide, and some are flavored with ingredients like honey, anise, or fruit.

Appearance: Cheroots have a rustic, unfinished appearance, often with a frayed or twisted end, as seen in brands like Backwoods.

Cigar Characteristics

Tapered/Rounded Ends: Western cigars have a closed, tapered head that is cut before smoking.

Construction: They are made of a binder leaf and long-filler tobacco, which is then wrapped in a premium wrapper leaf.

Origin: The concept of the modern cigar is largely associated with the Americas and Europe.

Flavor & Aroma: They are prized for their complex and varied flavors and aromas derived from different types of tobacco and aging processes.

Smoking Technique: The smoke is meant to be savored in the mouth to appreciate the flavor and aroma, not inhaled like a cigarette.

In Summary

Think of a cheroot as a specific, often simpler, and more rustic style of cigar, distinguished by its open ends and less complex construction, in contrast to the more elaborate and premium Western-style cigar.

Bakelite history begins in 1907 when Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland invented the first synthetic plastic, a thermosetting resin made from phenol and formaldehyde. Patented in 1909, the material of a thousand uses revolutionized industry due to its electrical insulation, heat resistance, and moldability. Bakelite's uses ranged from electrical components and telephone casings to jewelry and kitchenware, ushering in the modern plastics era and paving the way for future plastics.

Invention and Early Success

The Inventor: Leo Baekeland, seeking a substitute for the natural electrical insulator shellac, combined phenol and formaldehyde to create a new material.

The Material: Bakelite was the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it was not derived from natural substances.

Key Properties: It was a hard, heat-resistant, and chemically resistant plastic that could be mass-produced and molded into various forms.

Applications: Due to its excellent electrical insulating properties, Bakelite was quickly adopted by the electrical power industry and used in automotive and telephone components.

The "Material of a Thousand Uses"

Industrial Expansion: The success of Bakelite demonstrated the potential for synthetic materials, leading major chemical companies to invest heavily in the research and development of new plastics.

Cultural Impact: By the 1930s, Bakelite was widely used in radios, telephone and car parts, and also became a popular fashion material for costume jewelry and decorative items, exemplified by designers like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Wartime Contributions: During World War II, Bakelite was used in patriotic jewelry and essential wartime equipment, such as pilot's goggles and field telephones.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Dawn of Plastics: Baekeland's invention marked the birth of the modern plastics industry, followed by other significant plastics like polystyrene, polyester, PVC, and nylon.

Collectible Status: Bakelite items from its "golden age" are now considered highly collectible due to their vintage charm and historical significance.

Enduring Presence: Although the term "Bakelite" was once generic, it has been revived as a registered trademark and continues to be associated with quality synthetic materials today.