Arrival of the Cheroot Case / Holder
The cases were often crafted from solely silver or silver-mounted leather/ crocodile skin. They were usually designed to hold between three and five cheroots, although there were some designed for individual cheroots (often torpedo-shaped, as pictured). Many of the cases were curved so they fit snugly in the owner’s pockets. Foliate bright-cut, engine-turned, and plain examples are quite common.
In terms of the cost, the most expensive examples are those that include enamelled scenes, especially if those scenes are of an erotic nature. You can view some examples of the fabulous enamel cases here.
The larger cases usually have a small leather strap inside to keep your cheroots firmly in place. Other than the strap, the inside of the cheroot case is usually quite plain, saving the decoration for the exterior of the case.
Cheroots Today
Although cheroots are still popular in places such as Burma, they have lost popularity in the western world due to the widespread introduction of cigarettes in 1881. Most people are entirely unaware of them, and they are often mistaken for spectacle cases.
Of course, those who smoke cigars as a hobby are more than likely aware of the cheroot, with some specialist stores continuing to sell them.
Today, cheroot cases are very difficult to come by, as relatively few were manufactured. Their rarity makes them highly collectable and valued.