Ancestors Wise to Power of the Sea, but Not Tobacco... ; Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, Honiton

Summary

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There are not many who would agree with the sentiment expressed on a desirable Art Nouveau copper tobacco box in Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's sale on Tuesday. Not today, at least, yet 50 years ago it was a different story as doctors were known to have advised their patients to take up smoking as some believed it helped them inhale more deeply than most would just breathing normally.

It was guidance given mostly to men, admittedly, as they were the majority of smokers. And it was a habit many found difficult to shake off, especially after service during the war when part of rations were a packet of cigarettes. But this box was certainly not part of the bargain, even though made for the purpose of storing tobacco, as it is inscribed: "There is no other herb like it under the canopy of heaven ... Charles Kingley, Westward Ho!" It was possibly a product from the old Shapland and Petter furniture makers of Barnstaple, who made several smoking accessories when a viable concern.

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Ancestors Wise to Power of the Sea, but Not Tobacco... ; Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, Honiton

Interestingly, the company's founder - Henry Shapland - had left here in 1848 to pursue his idea of making a new energy...

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