Accession Number

994.015.001

Description

Layers of tobacco leaves rolled into a long cylinder, the mouthpiece is pointed, the end flat, a paper label affixed about mid-point, the image a profile of HM Queen Victoria with head-covering in an oval cartouche embellished with gold scroll-work, her image white against a red background, around her portrait in upper-case lettering the words "COMMEMORATION 1837-1897".

Narrative

This cigar was produced to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (60-year reign) of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. She reigned over the British Commonwealth, including Canada, from 1837 until her death in 1901. 

Although the history of ownership of this cigar is not fully known, cigar-smoking likely took place in Craigdarroch's smoking room and dining room during the Dunsmuir years. Two Dunsmuir daughters who lived at Craigdarroch in the 1890's smoked cigarettes. One of them also smoked a pipe. Their niece, Emily Elinor Dunsmuir (1887-1938), routinely smoked cigars. Their brother, Alexander Dunsmuir (1853-1900), usually stayed at Craigdarroch when visiting Victoria from San Francisco, and he smoked cigars. And so, this cigar aids in presentating the Dunsmuir years at Craigdarroch. 

The practice of making cigars to commemorate Royal Jubilees continues into the 21st Century. In 2012, the British firm of Hunters & Frankau (established in 1790) produced a Diamond Jubilee cigar marking the 60th-year in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

History of Use

Unknown. Purchased by the donor at a Victoria, B.C. antiques market in 1994.

Date

1897

Dimensions

24 x 1.7 cm
1.7 cm

Material

Tobacco

Technique

Handmade; Rolled

Inscription

COMMEMORATION 1837-1897