These are two early 20th-century tins for Edinburgh retailers.
The first is the oblong shape tin which has raised lettering which reads: EDINBURGH ROCK / MADE ONLY BY ALEX. FERGUSON / MELBOURNE PLACE / EDINBURGH.
Alexander Ferguson founded his confectionary company in Edinburgh in 1837. It was based on Melbourne Place in the Old Town - and was a popular place for those with a sweet tooth until 1959 when the building was sadly demolished. Ferguson's was famed for its production of Edinburgh Rock - this had a distinctive crumbly texture and was made in variety of pastel colours.
The other tin also has raised letters which reads: JOHN COTTON LTD / TRADEMARK REGISTERED / EDINBURGH
This one is round in shape. It would have originally held tobacco and possibly had a paper label on the outside. Both tins would have been more of a shiny silver colour when they were first made - but the metal has oxidised to this dark colour over the decades.
The John Cotton Company was established in 1770 and had shops in Princes Street and Frederick Street in Edinburgh. The family business manufactured raw tobacco into snuff, cigarettes and pipe tobacco which was then sold through their retail shops
Its tobacco factory was for many years an Easter Road landmark. It remained an independent establishment until taken over by the Gallaher Group in 1962. Today the main part of the former Sunnyside factory – which includes the original chimney – survives but now operates as the John Cotton business centre.
Both tins are interesting items relating to successful Edinburgh manufacturers and their retail businesses. They are not items of great beauty but are interesting historical souvenirs.
The Rock tin is rarer and it is priced at £35. The Cotton Tin is £20.
UK Postage will be priced with Royal Mail Recorded Post (Small Parcel) this will be applied to your order at the checkout.