19.5" x 27.5".

Canadian. 1910s. The center panel displays the centrepiece of the Hudson's Bay Company which, at the time, was "Canada's Most Famous Tobaccos". Tobacco was popular amongst the Indigenous and was purchased in trade for beaver pelts. The value of the trade was based on the value of a prime beaver skin. The Company had its own currency in the form of the "Made Beaver" token. The beaver became a symbol for the Hudson's Bay Company and eventually took its place on the Canadian nickel. Tobacco and beaver pelts represented the beginnings of trade in Canada and held a high place in Canadian history as also evidenced on this tri-fold counter display. The right panel illustrates the founding of the Hudson's Bay Company on May 2, 1670 when King Charles II granted a Royal Charter to his cousin Prince Rupert and his associates. In effect, the Royal Charter granted all of the land in the watershed of Hudson's Bay to the Hudson's Bay Company or, as it was known then, "To The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England Trading into Hudson's Bay." (as shown on the right panel of the tri-fold). The Charter gave the Hudson's Bay Company exclusive rights to trade in and colonize the entire Hudson Bay drainage system known as "Rupert's Land" It was the beginning of capitalism and the development of the Hudson's Bay Company into Canada's largest and best known retailer of goods. The left panel illustrates a tin of Fort Garry smoking tobacco, showing a group of Indigenous natives smoking tobacco under an illustration of Fort Garry. Fort Garry is significant in that it was, during its heyday in the mid 19th century, the center of the Hudson's Bay Company's presence in the Red River Settlement near the mouth of the Assiniboine River (in what is now Manitoba). This is a spectacular counter display piece of Canadian history that rarely comes to market. Marked, "The Thos. Davidson Mfg. Co. Limited Toronto. Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, Vancouver.", on reverse of center panel. Authenticated by The Authentication Company. (TAC #400130). All items are guaranteed authentic by Miller & Miller Auctions. All purchases are eligible for paid delivery to the Spring Dixie Gas & Oil Show on April 10-12 2025.

Grade: 8.25. Fair to good condition. Oxidation to all panels, particularly at right edge of right panel. Right panel also shows some hazing on right edge.

Lithographed tin over cardboard.