A “Time Capsule” Discovery
This past November, during a small renovation process of suite 1583, our Property Operations team discovered what they thought to be a small cardboard box stuck in the ceiling’s concrete beam. Upon removal of this beam, they discovered that this box was in fact an old pack of “Egyptian Prettiest” cigarettes which was manufactured by the Schinasi Brothers’ cigarette company. The Schinasi Bros. (Solomon and Morris – a.k.a. Mustafa) were Turkish immigrants who learned to make fine quality cigarettes in Alexandria, Egypt. By 1893, they immigrated to the U.S. and opened a factory on 48 Broad Street in New York City. The popularity of their cigarettes grew immensely due to the unique blend of Turkish tobaccos and by 1904, they purchased a larger property on the Upper West Side on 120th St. Their cigarettes were sold all over the world but were most popular here in the United States.
Some quick research revealed that this particular pack (with the unique green label) was created in the year 1938. Although there is no known story attached to this unique treasure, the mystery behind it is just as captivating. Did this pack accidentally fall out of the pocket of a construction worker as he poured the concrete? Did he drop this empty pack into the concrete during the job knowing that it would eventually be found years later? The possibilities are endless. This rare treasure is now housed in our archive; it is a great addition to the many “random”, “odd”, and unique items I have tucked away. It is discoveries such as this that continue to make The Waldorf Astoria Hotel the most interesting and unique hotel in the world.
Dismantled pack of “Egyptian Prettiest” Cigarettes (c. 1938)
Cigarette Pouch
Cigarette Foil
Inside Label
Outside Label
Keep making history! You never know what impact it will have in the future.
– Erin Allsop, Archivist of The Waldorf Astoria New York
@WaldorfNYC http://www.waldorfarchive.org
Erin is a graduate student in the Masters program of Library and Information Science at CUNY – Queens College, where she is focusing her studies on Archival Management and Preservation.
You may contact her by email at erin.allsop@waldorfastoria.com with any inquiries or questions you may have.
Waldorf Astoria New York 