Antique Cigarette Machine, Circa 1900.

This amazing antique cigarette-rolling machine is a high-quality collectors piece in great condition. It works fine and can be used to roll cigarettes, though the original sponge that lifted the paper by wetting the glued side and carried it to the rolls is missing. This video shows how these types of machines worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX13e5XZ2Kk. The roll system was the first to be used in these machines; the oldest and most popular models were the Lemaire machines. The piece that we can see in the images is a luxury model. It is a Machine du Siecle (Machine of the century) with solid mahogany-wooden box and chromed-metal mobile parts. The wood is in strikingly good condition, with no cracks or broken parts and boasting a lively golden-reddish color. The box is hollow: inside there is a compartment to store the tobacco and the paper. We can reach this compartment by lifting the top part, which is connected to the box by a brass hinge. The metal closure lock bears the word PARIS and a decorative motive engraved in its surface. At the top of the machine we can see two angle metal pieces that hold the paper in place. In front of them rests the mobile part with the sponge and at the back there is a metal box with a roll and a crank. This box is where the cigarette is rolled and made, after putting the proper amount of tobacco on top of the paper. The metal box bears the engraved inscription DU SIECLE BVTE. SDGD (sans garanti du gouvernement), adorned by a simple and delicate decoration: three flowers with long stems. Gorgeous and ingenious, this antique cigarette-rolling machine is a rare curiosity with an amazing decorative power, worthy of the best collection. Measurements: Width: 4.7 in / 12 cm. Height: 3.1 in / 8 cm.