Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff – Baltimore
BONN’S JAMES RIVER TOBACCO MANUFACTORY
27 October 2013
Hi Ferdinand,
I was lucky enough to buy this great, pontiled snuff bottle at the Manchester show. I believe it may be an unknown or as it is said, unlisted example. Please see attached photos. The color in natural sunlight is puce with amber. I hope you will like it and make it known to other collectors.
My fast google search showed that it may be from Baltimore; maybe also blown in Baltimore. Thanks,
Alex Caiola
I was able to pull together the following information regarding the Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff jar. Alex was correct about Baltimore. We are talking primarily about the Bonn family name who were importers and wholesale dealers in leaf and manufactured tobacco in Baltimore City. At first it was the Bonn Bros. & Co., consisting of Anthony S. Bonn and Joseph Bonn. I find them listed as early as 1833. In 1841 it was Bonn’s James River Tobacco Manufactory. In 1856 they changed their name and went by Anthony S. Bonn & Co. In 1860, Daniel W. and Richard Bonn were working at the company up until 1871 when it was listed as D. W. Bonn & Co.
This is absolutely one fantastic snuff jar that is very early.
Dated Listings
1833 – A. & J. Bonn, tobacco and snuff manufacturers, 22 w Pratt st. dw A. Bonn, Peace alley, w of Charles st J. Bonn Eutaw st, Matchett’s Baltimore Directory, 1833-1834
1833 – F. Bonn tobacconist, Peace Alley, near Charles, Matchett’s Baltimore Directory, 1833-1834
1833 – A. & J. Bonn, Tobacconists – Charles Varle Directory
1837 – Anthony and Joseph Bonn, Tobacconist – Matchett’s Baltimore City Directory
1841 – Bonn’s James River Tobacco Manufactory, 70 bbl. SCOTCH SNUFF – The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) – 11 May 1841
1842 – Bonn A. & J. and Brothers, tobacco, snuff and segar manufacturers, No. 8 Pratt st 3 doors w of Light, Bonn Richard, firm ditto, dw Eutaw st n of Conway, Bonn Joseph, firm ditto, dw 10 Sharp st, Bonn Anthony, firm ditto, dw 81 Conway st, Matchett’s Baltimore City Directory
1856 – Bonn’s Phoenix Wholesale Tobacco Warehouse notice – Bonn Bros & Co. changing to Anthony S. Bonn & Co. – 10 December 1856 Baltimore Sun
1860 – Anthony S. Bonn & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in leaf and manuf. tobacco – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory
1860 – A. S. B. & Co. Bonn family residential listings (Anthony, Daniel and Richard Bonn) – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
1865 – Anthony S. Bonn & Co., listings – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory
1871 – D. W. Bonn & Co. listing (D. W. & Richard) – The state gazette and merchants and farmers’ directory for Maryland and District of Columbia
A. & J. Bonn listing Tobacconists – Charles Varle Directory 1833
Anthony and Joseph Bonn listings Tobacconist – Matchetts Directory 1837
Bonn’s James River Tobacco Manufactory – Note 70 bbl. SCOTCH SNUFF – The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) – 11 May 1841
Bonn’s Phoenix Wholesale Tobacco Warehouse notice – 10 December 1856 Baltimore Sun
Tobacco Dealers and Manufacturers – Wholesale Anthony S. Bonn & Co., 172 w Pratt – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
Anthony S. Bonn & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in leaf and manuf. tobacco – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
A.S.B. & Co. Bonn family residential listings – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
Anthony S. Bonn & Co., listings – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – 1865
D. W. Bonn & Co. listing (D. W. & Richard) – The state gazette and merchants and farmers’ directory for Maryland and District of Columbia – 1871
Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff – Alex Caiola
Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff – Alex Caiola
Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff – Alex Caiola
Bonn’s Pure Scotch Snuff – Alex Caiola
Snuff Advertising in Baltimore – 1860
Forsyth & Cole Smoking Tobacco advertisement – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
S. Rosenfeld & Co. Tobacco advertisement – Wood’s Baltimore City Directory – Ending year 1860
