An unusual Welsh brass ‘twist-tobacco’ box.  Engraved with the name ’Packey Comey’ from Pontlliw in the Swansea Valley and dated Dec 12th 1908. Decorated with hearts, anchors & shamrocks.

Comey is an Irish surname and Packey can be short for Patrick. Patrick Comey is recored on the 1891 census, living with his family in Pontlliw. He is listed as being 18 years old and working as a smiths apprentice. His father John Comey is recorded as a grocer/dealer and was born in Ireland.

3” wide x 2” deep x 1” high / 7.6cm wide x 5cm deep x 2.5cm high

£130.00 (on hold)

‘Twist’ was a name given to chewing tobacco. It was used by many coal miners who chewed twist underground as smoking was prohibited. It helped keep the mouth moist in the dusty condition. Twist boxes are often associated with colliers working in the coal mines of Wales, but its likely at at twist was in common use throughout all the coal mining districts.