ardgedee
June 9th, 2013, 08:04 PM
Is there any interest in cigar boxes? They seem to be the perfect size for storing pens and other stationery supplies.
(Six boxes currently available)
(One box added on 9 June. See post #2 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34570&viewfull=1#post34570))
(Five boxes added on 11 June. See posts #7 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34917&viewfull=1#post34917) and #8 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34922&viewfull=1#post34922) -- images fixed on post #8)
I'm going to visit an immense cigar retailer Monday evening to pick up some empty cigar boxes... if you are interested in any, please PM me:
What sort of size(s) you're looking for. Starting with interior dimensions are best -- assume 6" long x 2/3" dia. as a conventional maximum size for one fountain pen, although some are larger. I plan on using one of GoPens' slotted trays (https://www.gopens.com/Vintage_Pen_Parts/vintage_pens_12X16Trays.php) for my own cigar box; it's a good page for sanity checking your assumptions of what can fit.
Preferred box material...
Cardboard covered with glossy paper is common, cheap and is the most colorful -- also the easiest to paper over if you want to use your own artwork instead.
Particle board is less attractive but is probably the sturdiest.
Stained wood is usually the most handsome, a little more delicate.
Metal is even more colorful than cardboard, and is usually heavily embossed, too.
Other box details...
Some boxes have hinged lids, some have lids that slide into a slotted groove, a few have fitted canister-style lids.
Cigars are usually stored horizontally. Boxes that store them vertically are only occasionally available.
No matter how reasonable your request is, it's entirely possible the store won't have it when I check. I'll let you know.
I'll probably get a dozen total boxes on this run; any of the boxes that weren't gotten by request will be made available here.
The boxes will cost me no more than $2 apiece -- shipping these boxes will generally cost more than that -- so instead of treating this like a little money making venture, I'm only interested in trades. Our household always likes trying more inks, and in collecting a range of pen nibs (compatible with Lamy Safari or whatever will work in Noodler's pens, since even our non-Noodler's pens's nibs seem to be interchangeable with them). Let me know what you have to offer and we can discuss.
Now, one more thing to remember: These boxes once held cigars. They spent months and possibly years in a massive cigar humidor. They come out of the store reeking awfully strongly of unsmoked tobacco (which is sweet and kind of pleasant, unlike smoke) -- I try to drive them home with the windows open. Most of the smell will be gone by the time the boxes are shipped, but it will still be noticeable. Keep your boxes outside in the sunlight for a few days (or on a sunny windowsill for longer), and most if not all of the smell will disappear. The smell fades at different rates... while the cedar boxes tend to be the most sophisticated and handsome, they also cling to their tobacco odor the longest. The cardboard box's odor fades the fastest. Metal boxes are likely to come clean after being washed with soap and water.
However: If anybody in your household has a sensitivity to tobacco (or is trying to quit smoking), you probably should not get these.
(Six boxes currently available)
(One box added on 9 June. See post #2 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34570&viewfull=1#post34570))
(Five boxes added on 11 June. See posts #7 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34917&viewfull=1#post34917) and #8 (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2938-Cigar-Box-Run-2013!?p=34922&viewfull=1#post34922) -- images fixed on post #8)
I'm going to visit an immense cigar retailer Monday evening to pick up some empty cigar boxes... if you are interested in any, please PM me:
What sort of size(s) you're looking for. Starting with interior dimensions are best -- assume 6" long x 2/3" dia. as a conventional maximum size for one fountain pen, although some are larger. I plan on using one of GoPens' slotted trays (https://www.gopens.com/Vintage_Pen_Parts/vintage_pens_12X16Trays.php) for my own cigar box; it's a good page for sanity checking your assumptions of what can fit.
Preferred box material...
Cardboard covered with glossy paper is common, cheap and is the most colorful -- also the easiest to paper over if you want to use your own artwork instead.
Particle board is less attractive but is probably the sturdiest.
Stained wood is usually the most handsome, a little more delicate.
Metal is even more colorful than cardboard, and is usually heavily embossed, too.
Other box details...
Some boxes have hinged lids, some have lids that slide into a slotted groove, a few have fitted canister-style lids.
Cigars are usually stored horizontally. Boxes that store them vertically are only occasionally available.
No matter how reasonable your request is, it's entirely possible the store won't have it when I check. I'll let you know.
I'll probably get a dozen total boxes on this run; any of the boxes that weren't gotten by request will be made available here.
The boxes will cost me no more than $2 apiece -- shipping these boxes will generally cost more than that -- so instead of treating this like a little money making venture, I'm only interested in trades. Our household always likes trying more inks, and in collecting a range of pen nibs (compatible with Lamy Safari or whatever will work in Noodler's pens, since even our non-Noodler's pens's nibs seem to be interchangeable with them). Let me know what you have to offer and we can discuss.
Now, one more thing to remember: These boxes once held cigars. They spent months and possibly years in a massive cigar humidor. They come out of the store reeking awfully strongly of unsmoked tobacco (which is sweet and kind of pleasant, unlike smoke) -- I try to drive them home with the windows open. Most of the smell will be gone by the time the boxes are shipped, but it will still be noticeable. Keep your boxes outside in the sunlight for a few days (or on a sunny windowsill for longer), and most if not all of the smell will disappear. The smell fades at different rates... while the cedar boxes tend to be the most sophisticated and handsome, they also cling to their tobacco odor the longest. The cardboard box's odor fades the fastest. Metal boxes are likely to come clean after being washed with soap and water.
However: If anybody in your household has a sensitivity to tobacco (or is trying to quit smoking), you probably should not get these.