15" x 9" x 0.25".

Canadian. Late 1950s. Mirrored glass. The Black Cat brand was first introduced in the United Kingdom by Carreras Ltd. in 1904. The brand was named for a black cat that used to sleep in the window of the Carreras' street shop. Since the name "Carreras" seemed too difficult to pronounce, everyone referred to the store as the "black cat shop". As one of the most popular brands not only for their product, but for their stunning logo, the company was considered a trailblazer when it came to brand promotion, slapping the beautiful black cat on any product, including restroom mirrors. Nothing was off limits, keeping in mind that smoking was permitted virtually everywhere, including restrooms. With the onset of WWII, many cigarette brands, including Black Cat, were withdrawn from sale in order for the manufacturers to use their machinery to assist in the war effort. After the war, Black Cat cigarettes re-appeared in 1957; however, this mirror was likely made sometime early post-war. This is evidenced by the pre-war art deco pattern evident under the black cat logo on the cigarette package. As well, the lettering on the upper portion of the mirror is plain with shadowing, a technique typical of the art deco era. Despite the likelihood of the mirror being produced early post WWII, the cigarettes shown in the packaging are "plain cigarettes" (that is, without filters) and plain cigarettes were not reintroduced by Black Cat until 1957. Black Cat was one of the only companies to emerge from the war opting to promote plain unfiltered cigarettes, an unusual choice at a time when sales of filtered cigarettes were booming. Black Cat cigarettes were eventually discontinued in 1959 primarily due to a diminished demand for plain, unfiltered cigarettes. As a piece of glass advertising that managed to survive without damage, this is a piece that is rare and seldom comes to market. All items are guaranteed authentic by Miller & Miller Auctions. All purchases are eligible for delivery to the Spring Dixie Gas & Oil Show on April 10-12 2025.

Overall good condition. Silvering shows oxidation. Edges are good. Some in-service overpaint along the upper edge.

Mirrored glass.