Cigarette case, England, 1930-1939

Cigarette case in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number M.55-1984), made in England, dated 1930-1939, attributed to unknown. The museum's brief description reads: Cigarette case; cellulose acetate, probably England, 1930s.

Museum description: Small cigarette case of black cellulose acetate with marbled green details. The hinged opening is jointed and flexible, and it folds over to close the case in the centre of the front. The case fastens with a brass press stud. The closure is located beneath a panel of green marbled cellulose acetate, the press stud is concealed by a black panel on top of the green. The female element of the press stud is embedded in a panel of green marbled cellulose acetate.

On the reverse is glued a decorative panel of green marbled cellulose acetate. Inside, it is lined with fairly coarse white fabric. The museum records it as Cellulose acetate, brass, textile, measuring Height 7.8 cm; Width 5.9 cm; Depth 1.5 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.