Barling Royal Hunt – Sealed 1960s 2 oz. Tin, A Mid-Century English Treasure

Friends,

For your consideration is a sealed 1960s 2 oz. tin of Barling Royal Hunt, a scarce survivor from the golden age of British pipe tobacco. Few examples so clearly evoke the romance of the English countryside and the dignity of mid-century pipe culture.

The Barling name had been revered since 1812, its briars regarded among the finest in the world. In the 1960s, the house lent its crest to a short-lived line of tobaccos produced by Ogden’s of Liverpool, makers of St. Bruno and Gold Block. Royal Hunt was the standout — a blend that captured the sporting spirit, the quiet nobility of tradition, and the unmistakable stamp of English refinement. Imported into America by Peterson’s Ltd. of New York, these tins offered U.S. smokers a direct connection to Britain’s pipe heritage.

Period advertisements described Royal Hunt as “an aromatic blend of choice Virginias, subtly spiced with Red Burley.” Smokers remembered a mixture both steady and distinguished: bright Virginias with notes of hay, honey, and citrus; Red Burley lending nutty, cocoa-like depth; and a gentle aromatic lift, perhaps vanilla or warm spice, that polished the blend without masking the leaf. The smoke was mild-to-medium, opening golden and sweet, settling into a warm, nutty heart, and finishing clean. It was the sort of tobacco that felt at home in both the countryside and the paneled lounge, equally suited to the field and the fire.

The imagery surrounding Royal Hunt is steeped in mid-century Britain: foxhounds on the move, tweed jackets and leather boots, autumn mornings with mist clinging to the moors, and evenings when the BBC Light Programme drifted from the wireless as a briar glowed softly in hand. In that setting, a tin like this was more than packaging — it was a companion to ritual, a mark of calm distinction.

Details
-Era: 1960s
-Weight: 2 oz. (56 g)
-Condition: Sealed, seams tight, label vibrant, with only gentle patina from age
-Rarity: Royal Hunt tins seldom appear on the market; sealed examples are exceptionally scarce
-Provenance: From a carefully stored private collection, untouched for decades

See the actual tin featured in this listing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJdAKFsHmn0

This is more than a tobacco tin. It is a window into mid-century Britain, when Barling’s name still carried weight and Ogden’s was at the height of its craft. Outdoorsy, noble, and refined, Royal Hunt stands as a tribute to that age.

Step right up to the Royal Hunt. A sealed treasure, rich in history and atmosphere, ready to claim its place in the collection of a discerning pipe man. Rarely offered, never to return — like the call of the hounds across a misty field, once it fades, it is gone. Secure your prize before this hunt escapes you.

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