The use of tobaccos were obviously well documented both in the colonies and in Europe during the 18th century but just curious if any of you know exactly what kind of tobaccos were most commonly smoked back then?
What Tobaccos Were Common in the 18th Century?
- Thread starter fishmansf
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No flue cured as today (virginias) and no burley as today. Probably they would crush a leaf of whatever was available and fill a clay pipe with that.
Here’s a good read:
Tobacco in Colonial Virginia - Encyclopedia Virginia
Introduction of Tobacco to Virginia Tobacco Pipe In 1611 Rolfe, known as “an ardent smoker,” decided to experiment with cultivating tobacco in Jamestown. The plant had first been brought to England in 1565, perhaps from Florida by Sir John Hawkins, and by the 1610s there was a ready market in...
encyclopediavirginia.org
1792 Flake was around back then! Or at least the company was…
Good question, an interesting launching pad for speculation, for sure.
Although I've not much to offer in that regard, I will, however, note that this would be a time in history blessedly devoid of such marketing gimmicks as "small batch" and "special edition." Which would, in my opinion, more than make up for any lack in the quality department.
Although I've not much to offer in that regard, I will, however, note that this would be a time in history blessedly devoid of such marketing gimmicks as "small batch" and "special edition." Which would, in my opinion, more than make up for any lack in the quality department.
I would think any of the G&H shags would burn easily and nicely in a clay as well as have a tinge of the ol Lakeland sauce to give you that old time vibe
@vosBghos Many thanks for the baccy recommendations. I always think of shag as RYO cigarette tobacco and another forum member has suggested twist / rope & plug for re-enactment smoking. @simong recommends SG Cannon Plug as it's rumoured to date back to the English Civil War era.
My preference is for Virginia / Cavendish blends as they seem most suited to the period I'm interested in; I've tried 1792 Flake in a clay and will have to order some more SG Cannon Plug and some Gawith ropes for the Sealed Knot / Lace Wars / Redcoats & Revolutionaries / Pirate Mutiny events.
I was smoking GH Brown twist in my Old Dominion Jamestown clay at the Battle of Nantwich re-enactment last January and C&D Yorktown at the Redcoats & Revolutionaries event at Cromford Mill. Getting my clay pipe lit with an ember from the blacksmith's forge was an unforgettable experience
After sending all off to China for pre continental rail road project, we only sent hobbit weed to Europe. Yeah, they complain a lot, but hey! English had monopoly on teas!
I think here in the UK English tobacco's, not grown here but some guy called Sir Walter brought some over from the Americas and we all got hooked, then they started putting additives in them and rolled it in paper, some of us held out and revolted and stuck to pipes, not many, I'm still here, all on my little own.
@tobakenist You're not alone; I still smoke clay pipesI think here in the UK English tobacco's, not grown here but some guy called Sir Walter brought some over from the Americas and we all got hooked, then they started putting additives in them and rolled it in paper, some of us held out and revolted and stuck to pipes, not many, I'm still here, all on my little own.
Smoked by who? I think tobacco was introduced from North America through European colonists so was most focused in Virginia, so that is the varietal that England and surrounding islands smoked, I think, and then Europe.
That tobacco originated from the tribes on the eastern coast of colonial North America that is now the U.S.
But burley had to come from someplace, and may have been common with other indigenous nations further west, or in the Caribbean islands.
Tobacco geneticists probably have this all worked out from long ago, so they don't have to guess as much as I do.
That tobacco originated from the tribes on the eastern coast of colonial North America that is now the U.S.
But burley had to come from someplace, and may have been common with other indigenous nations further west, or in the Caribbean islands.
Tobacco geneticists probably have this all worked out from long ago, so they don't have to guess as much as I do.
Wasn’t it Nicotiana rustica? Until John Rolfe brought over Spanish seeds that is (Nicotiana tabacum.)
Gawith Hoggarth posted on its FB page a Sam Gawith price list from the 1880s. There were no plugs and nothing looked obviously scented. I'm wondering if these sorts of tobacco are more recent innovations. Here's the post:
There are cakes listed, also described as bars, I'd imagine they are more like what we call plugs now, rather than what we now call crumble cakes.