Set of 28 Wills's Pirate Shag Dominoes Empire Size In Tin Box 

This is a 1930s/40s Set of 28 Wills's Pirate Shag Dominoes Empire Size In Tin Box.

Made from Black Bakelite, the domino set is in pretty good condition, and is presented in a very collectible tin! It is a 'Double Six' set, with each domino having the Wills's "Pirate" Shag printed on the rear in orange/brown.

The hinged tin box is scratched, scuffed and marked, with slight loss of paint. The tin is slightly out of shape, with some small dents, and there is some rust inside and out. The top of the box bears the logo of Wills's 'Pirate ' Cigarettes in cream writing over a dark brown background.

Approximate Size:
* The dominoes are Empire sized (slightly smaller than Imperial): 4.6cm length, 2.2cm width, 0.7cm height
* Metal Tin measures: 16.2cm Width x 5cm depth x 3.3cm Height

* According to Wikipedia,
"W.D. & H.O. Wills was a British tobacco importer and manufacturer formed in Bristol, England. It was the first UK company to mass-produce cigarettes. It was one of the founding companies of Imperial Tobacco along with John Player & Sons.

The company was founded in 1786 and went by various names before 1830 when it became W.D. & H.O. Wills. Tobacco was processed and sold under several brand names, some of which were still used by Imperial Tobacco until the second half of the 20th century. The company pioneered the use of cigarette cards within their packaging. Many of the buildings in Bristol and other cities around the United Kingdom still exist with several being converted to residential use."

Although the box bears the Wills's Pirate Shag Cigarettes brand, the dominoes themselves were probably made by Lehman and Co of St George Works, London, UK.

A nice item for bakelite (early plastic) collectors, tobacciana or items with unusual names!

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