1989 RJR Chelsea Cigarettes Regular & Menthol – Sealed Complimentary Test Market Packs

Chelsea was an unusual and very short-lived R.J. Reynolds test-market cigarette introduced in April 1989. The brand used specially treated cigarette paper designed to produce a more pleasant aroma while burning and was promoted as “the first cigarette that smells good.” Chelsea was test marketed in selected areas of Florida, Pennsylvania and Nevada before being discontinued around 1990.

This lot includes both original varieties:

Chelsea Low Tar / Fresh Aroma – Regular
Chelsea Menthol Low Tar / Fresh Aroma – Menthol

Both packages contain 20 Class A cigarettes and are marked:

“COMPLIMENTARY. NOT FOR SALE. ALL APPLICABLE STATE TAXES PAID BY MANUFACTURER.”

This identifies them as original R.J. Reynolds promotional/sample packs rather than ordinary retail packages, making the matched pair especially interesting as surviving material from the Chelsea test-market campaign.

Both packs appear full and unopened in their original factory cellophane with tear strips intact. There is age-related surface dirt, spotting, rubbing and storage wear, particularly to the blue Regular pack, all clearly visible in the photographs.

An unusual matched pair representing one of R.J. Reynolds' more experimental and short-lived cigarette brands of the late 1980s.

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