Beautiful old Box: HDM Humidor Number 1.

[El Presidente]

No doubt shortly to be filled with counterfeit vintage cigars  and put back on the market. 

 

 

 

[La_Tigre]

What was the purpose of the metal piece in the back?

[iannai169]

It's a humidifier. I have a couple of old humidors with similar devices. It's a clay bar held by a piece of metal. You soak the clay in water then slip it into a carved slot in the humidor lid. 

[La_Tigre]

3 hours ago, iannai169 said:

It's a humidifier. I have a couple of old humidors with similar devices. It's a clay bar held by a piece of metal. You soak the clay in water then slip it into a carved slot in the humidor lid. 

Thought it would be a form of humidification but wasn’t clear on the design. We’d seen with the slot before but it was missing the insert. Did this come standard and how old?

[iannai169]

It was standard. Came with the humidor. A lot of boxes are missing the insert. My guess is the clay dried out and cracked so they tossed it. I have 1 from the 50's and 1 from the 60's. Not sure when they started with it. Maybe someone on the forum might have some input. ??