Came across a Helmes Railroad Mills jar.

Old River · Dec 14, 2010

Came across a Helme's Railroad Mills jar.

Never seen one of these. I believe it's a snuff, or tobacco container.

dumpdigger68 · Dec 14, 2010

Re: Came across a Helme's Railroad Mills jar.

That's a real beauty!

FarmerChick · Dec 14, 2010

Re: Came across a Helme's Railroad Mills jar.

wow
I searched it and priced about $40
and you even got the lid

very nice find and so pretty actually!!

MonkeyBoy · Dec 14, 2010

Re: Came across a Helme's Railroad Mills jar.

That really big for a snuff... I thought they were fruit/preserve jars?? I saw one labeled that one but a label on a bottle in an antique shop isn't exactly a primary source.

Nice one no matter what was in it..

MB

diggummup · Dec 14, 2010

Re: Came across a Helme's Railroad Mills jar.

Nice tobacco jar. You've probably read this already Old River, but here is some info on the Helme's Railroad Snuff Mill-
http://www.jamesburg.net/snuffedout01.html, interesting stuff and a nice find. :thumbsup:

And a little added information-
The Helme Tobacco company was founded as the Railroad Mills Snuff Mill in 1866 by a pair of brothers from New Jersey. After a few years, when George Washington Helme purchased his brother's share, it was renamed. In the 1880s, Helme purchased land in Middlesex county between Spotswood and Jamesburg, and built 105 homes for his workers. In 1888 the community was granted status as a borough and Helme named it after his daughter, Oliva Antoinette, who was nicknamed Etta. In the 1930s there were 400 Helme employees and the firm was one of the world's largest producers of snuff. At his death, Helme was reported as having been the second wealthiest man in New Jersey. Over the years, some of Helme's products gained tremendous popularity, including such favorites as Silver Creek and Redwood Moist Snuff, Lancaster, Chattanooga Chew and Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco, and Navy, Lorillard, and Railroad Mills Dry Snuff. Today Helme is a brand owned by Swisher International. Swisher's history with tobacco dates to 1861 when a small cigar manufacturing company was acquired in payment of a debt. It went on to become one of the world's largest cigar producers, with such powerhouse brands as King Edward and Swisher Sweets. In 1993 Swisher moved all of the Helme operation to the Wheeling plant and closed the Helme Snuff Mill complex, leaving behind 16 buildings on 32 acres, on Helmetta's Main street.