Description
Individual book of Zig Zag brand cigarette rolling papers. The front of the book reads: "ZIG ~ ZAG CIGARETTE PAPERS with an image of a zouave soldier, light infantry men in the French Army who served in French North Africa between the 1830's and 1960's. The image was chosen from a story that originated during the Crimean War and Siege of Sevastopol (1854-55), which tell of a soldier's clay pipe being broken by a bullet and to improvise he rolled his tobacco using paper. The reverse side reads: "PURE WHITE EGYPTIEN ZIG "PHEBUS" ZAG" and under the book cover reads: "BLANC OUR SANS CENDRE", "READY CREASED EASY TO ROLL", "ONLY ONE PAPER CAN BE PULLED AT A TIME NO WASTE", "ASHLESS TASTELESS" and the edge: "ZIG ~ ZAG AUTOMATIQUE". The papers were made by Braunstein-Freres Inc, founded in 1879, for the United States Tobacco Co. Originally based in Paris, the production plant near the town of Mantes-la-Jolie, which invented the process of "interleaving" rolling papers in 1894, was destroyed and at end of WWII, all production was shifted to the newly expanded Thonon factory.
VINTAGE:Circa WWII
SIZE:Approximately 2-7/8" x 1-11/16"
CONSTRUCTION / MATERIALS:Cardstock, ink, rolling paper
ATTACHMENT:Flap closure on booklet
MARKINGS:"BLANC OUR SANS CENDRE", "READY CREASED EASY TO ROLL", "ONLY ONE PAPER CAN BE PULLED AT A TIME NO WASTE", "ASHLESS TASTELESS"
ITEM NOTES:This is from a tobacco collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. The booklet that you receive will be the one pictured or one in similar condition. VABX LAEX9/15
CONDITION:9 (ExcellentNear Mint): The individual packet shows light storage wear, unused, overall excellent condition.
GUARANTEE:As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.