August 1945 John Middleton De Luxe Pipe Tobacco Blending Chest, Complete 7-Jar Set, Featured on Pipe Appeal

Offered here is one of the most remarkable American pipe tobacco pieces I have ever handled: a John Middleton De Luxe Pipe Tobacco Blending Chest, dating to August 1945.

This was not just a sampler. It was Middleton’s grand home blending set, made for the pipe smoker who wanted to become his own tobacconist.

The timing gives it a special weight. August 1945 was the month the war turned toward home. Japan accepted Allied surrender terms in mid-August, and the formal surrender followed in early September. By the end of 1945, millions of American servicemen were being returned and discharged back into civilian life.

That is the world this chest belongs to: men still away, men coming home, and families returning to the small rituals of peacetime. A chair. A pipe. A little time. And, in this case, an entire Middleton blending chest.

John Middleton’s roots go back to a Philadelphia tobacco shop founded in 1856, serving customers seeking cigars and pipe tobacco. By the 1940s, Middleton was one of the great American pipe tobacco houses.

This De Luxe chest was the king of Middleton’s blending kits. It included seven glass jars of tobacco, a glass measuring jigger, a tobacco pouch, and the booklet “The Secret of Blending Pipe Tobacco” by Herbert Middleton.

This particular chest was completely sealed when I acquired it and was opened on Pipe Appeal. Only one bowl was blended and smoked for the video. The remaining tobacco has been preserved in the original jars inside the chest.

Pipe Appeal video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqT_bQGlkRA

The Seven Tobaccos

The chest includes seven labeled John Middleton tobaccos, each intended to serve a role in the home blending process.

Selbur
A specially selected Burley used as a base tobacco for many combinations. The label describes it as pure selected Burley with the stem carefully removed, creating a light, mild smoke.

Shredded Plug
A selected Burley with a shredded cut. The label describes it as a base tobacco producing a cool, slow-burning smoke.

Latakia
The label describes it as a small leaf tobacco grown in Arabia, used to add aroma to any pipe mixture.

Regimental
A fragrant, spicy, somewhat sweet tobacco intended to impart fragrance and spice to other blends.

Walnut
One of the most historically interesting jars in the set. Middleton’s Walnut was a famous finished blend, and the jar label calls it “the ultimate accomplishment of the master blender.” It also notes that Walnut can be used as a base for personal blending. The name refers to Walnut Street in Philadelphia, not walnut flavoring.

Perique
A Louisiana tobacco. The label notes that the method of growing and curing was a carefully guarded secret and advises using it sparingly for its racy flavor.

Virginia
A golden-colored, light, delicate tobacco used to lighten a blend. The label describes it as pleasant in aroma and extremely free burning.

Provenance

This chest was opened and featured on Pipe Appeal. It was completely sealed at the time of the video. Only one bowl was blended for the video. The remaining tobacco is included as shown.

That gives this chest an unusually complete story: a sealed discovery, documented opening, original accessories, original labeled jars, and the surviving contents still together in the chest.

Condition

The chest presents beautifully and appears substantially complete with the original jars, labels, booklet, pouch, jigger, and remaining tobacco.

The jars and labels show age-appropriate wear. The chest shows normal age and handling consistent with an 80-year-old presentation set.

Included

Original Chest

* John Middleton De Luxe Pipe Tobacco Blending Chest
* Hinged lid
* Leatherette-covered presentation case
* Decorative tooled front
* Fitted interior
* Original glass jar layout

Original Accessories

* Booklet: “The Secret of Blending Pipe Tobacco” by Herbert Middleton
* Tobacco pouch
* Glass measuring jigger

Original Tobacco Jars

* Selbur — 5 oz jar
* Shredded Plug — 5 oz jar
* Regimental — 2 oz jar
* Walnut — 2 oz jar
* Perique — 2 oz jar
* Virginia — 2 oz jar
* Latakia — 2 oz jar

Production / Era

* Maker: John Middleton
* Item: De Luxe Pipe Tobacco Blending Chest
* Date: August 1945
* Country: United States
* Factory: Factory No. 87, 1st District, State of Pennsylvania
* Format: Home pipe tobacco blending chest

This auction contains tobacco.  If you live in certain states, you will be unable to purchase this product.