Mid 20th Century Glass “Mi Lola” Cigar Jar

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Milwaukee's Mi Lola Cigar Company appears to have operated from the late nineteenth century up until the Depression era. Print … Read more Milwaukee's Mi Lola Cigar Company appears to have operated from the late nineteenth century up until the Depression era. Print advertising from c. 1903 carries the slogan that their factory at 139 Michigan Street was the "most modern and most sanitary cigar factory in the United States." The Company imported tobacco from Cuba and then hand-rolled the cigars in their Milwaukee facility.

When one thinks of Wisconsin today, one does not necessarily think of growing tobacco; however in southern Wisconsin tobacco was an important cash crop. Tobacco was first grown by enterprising Wisconsin settlers in 1844 in Walworth County. By 1885, tobacco farming in Wisconsin reached its peak, with 27,000 acres being devoted to its growth. Wisconsin tobacco was particularly suited for the manufacture of cigars because of its coarseness, which made it ideal for cigar wrappers.

Since there is no maker’s mark on our humidor, it is impossible to pin point its exact age, but a reasonable estimate would be between the years 1910-1920, still the hay day for cigars.

Our embossed clear glass American-made humidor measures approximately 7” tall with the lid on and 6” in width. the bottom is embossed with the following: “Mi Lola Cigar Co, Milwaukee, 25, Factory No 247, 1st District Wis.” There is also a number “50” on the bottom as well as a few air bubbles. On the side, there are three embossed design elements: The brand name. "Mi Lola," a beautiful rendition of the profile of a Latin lady with her hair piled up in a bun (probably the Lola herself) and finally the word at the bottom, "Cigar." Though very hard to photography, the Lola image is wonderful.
It is believed that some of the executives resided in Cuba and so note might be taken of the brand’s name, “Mi [My] Lola:”
This is an amazing piece of cigar history ready to be placed on your shelf See less