Friday 1 October 2010

Snuff Handkerchiefs



This is not, except in so far as it promotes my books, a commercial site but there is a small business, run along traditional lines, that I have known all my life in Cornwall, which is about to close. Amongst other things, it supplies excellent, traditional snuff handkerchiefs, in the pattern and colours shown in the picture. They really are up to Jermyn Street standard: generous, nicely finished, twenty two inch cotton squares and ideal for use as handkerchiefs or, if you had a mind for it, as a neckerchief of the kind that Cary Grant wore in the film To Catch A Thief. The red ones need to be separately rinsed through as the red dye bleeds on the first wash. They are very reasonably priced and I have asked for the current price. Obviously any relevant postage would have to be added. I expect that, if they got enough orders, they might continue to supply them even after closure. I have set inquiries in motion, so watch this space. The only thing in this for me is to keep open a valued supply of these great handkerchiefs.

8 comments:

  1. Perhaps they could wholesale to this gentleman?

    http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/10/14/am-mens-hats-stage-a-comeback-in-uk/

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  2. Thanks, I'll pass the idea on.

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  3. Are these still available? Where do I order?
    Thank you.
    St.T

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  4. I will have to find out whether the ex-trader still has some and revert to you here.

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  5. Thank you. Upon your suggestion a few months ago I visited Smith and Sons and purchased a few snuffs: Cafe Royal, George IV, and Golden Cardinal. I like them all especially the Cafe Royal. The hankies from Smith were awful - very stiff. I bought some on sale at H&K which were ok. The best were at Budd of Italian make - but expensive.

    But you ever take snuff and smoke a cigar simultaneously? I find that I quite enjoy the Cafe Royal and a cigar.

    Bests, St.T

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  6. Smith's snuffs are very good. They also used to do a 'starter pack' of a dozen or so miniatures as samples. I like Cafe Royal. I haven't taken snuff and smoked exactly simultaneously but I do smoke cigarettes, cigars and a pipe in succession sometimes and use snuff in between too. I shall hgave to give your suggestion a try. By the way, I am going to ask about the availability of the snuff handkerchiefs but they do start out quite stiff and need to be laundered a few times. I suspect that they starch them. How many handkerchiefs would you want if they are still available?
    best,
    NJS

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  7. Are they like the ones in the picture above? If so, I'd go for a dozen.

    I just enjoyed a nice aged Choix Supreme and some Cafe Royal. Very nice indeed.

    Bests, St.T

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  8. These handkerchiefs are available from
    Hugh Rae Ltd.
    Lewes

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