Tobacco tin used to store cartridge from raid on Harper's Ferry

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A tobacco tin for J. Wright Co. "Pride of Virginia"-brand tobacco. This tin has been used to store a .52 Sharp's cartridge planned for use as part of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry (NMAAHC 2023.84.1). The tin is painted in light blue, dark red or brown, and white with branding and a windmill or wagon wheel motif. Top left of the lid reads [J. WRIGHT CO.], top right reads [CONTINENTAL TOB. CO. / SUCCESSOR.], and bottom center reads [CUT PLUG]. A white scroll at center ostensibly reads [PRIDE OF / VIRGINIA] but is partially covered with a sticker, offwhite with red border, with handwritten label [Political]. The edge of the tin where the lid is attached via hinge to the rest of container has consumer notice that reads [FACTORY No 51, 2ND DISTRICT OF VA / NOTICE - The Manufacturers of this Tobacco / have complied with all the requirements of law.

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