TOBACCO TIN, WHITE OAK

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Michelides Limited

Subcollections

Overview

Rectangular metal box bearing the name WHITE OAK FINE CUT TOBACCO on a hinged lid.
An image of a white oak tree appears in the centre of the lid, within a circle.
At the bottom of the lid appear the words "A UNIQUE BLEND OF HIGH CLASS SELECTED TOBACCO" & "2oz NETT" & "(FACTORY WEIGHT)".
On the front lip of the lid appear the words 'MICHELIDES LTD. PERTH, AUSTRALIA".
The box lid also features a gold V.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-37-2001.661b

Item type

Objects

Themes

Social History

Material

Metal

Width

110 mm

Height or length

80 mm

Depth

20 mm

Contextual Information

Peter Spero Michelides (1878-1966)
In 1901 Michelides migrated to Western Australia intending to establish tobacco production.
Operating from one room in Murray Street, Michelides worked twelve hours daily, hand-making cigarettes and canvassing hotels for orders. His younger brother Michael joined him in 1905 and the rest of their family next year; the venture flourished and orders from Government House raised its prestige.
In 1921 a public company was formed, a factory was opened in Roe Street and city retail outlets were bought. In the mid-1950s Michelides Ltd experienced a set-back, overseas companies promoted 'king-size' cigarettes with special packaging and filter tips, which required a leaf darker than the local product. The company lost money until sold for £78,000 in 1960 to an Adelaide firm. Plantations were disposed of and diverted to other crops.
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/michelides-peter-spero-7566

Place made

Perth
Western Australia
Australia

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Shire of Toodyay

Organisation Details
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