Prince Albert is an American brand of hand-rolled-cigarette andpipe tobacco, introduced by theR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1907.[1] It has been owned since 1987 byJohn Middleton Inc.[2]
Prince Albert is one of the more popular independent brands of pipe tobacco in the United States; in the 1930s, it was the "second largest money-maker" for Reynolds.[3] More recently, it has also become available in the form of pipe-tobacco cigars. (A 1960s experiment with filteredcigarettes was deemed a failure.[4]) The blend isburley-based and remains one of America's top-selling pipe tobaccos.
The tobacco was named byR. J. Reynolds afterEdward VII, who was known as Prince Albert before being crowned as the King of the United Kingdom.[5] The portrait of Prince Albert was based on one acquired by Reynolds at a tea party withMark Twain.[5]
Prince Albert's cigars are available in packs of 5. Prince Albert's pipe tobacco is available in1+1⁄2-ounce (43 g) pouches and 14-ounce (400 g) tins.
The brand is the basis of a practical joke, usually made in the form of aprank call. The prankster typically calls a store and asks if they have "Prince Albert in a can". When the unsuspecting clerk responds, "yes", (because the tobacco is typically packaged in a can, though other forms of packaging also existed), the caller follows up with, "Well, you'd better let him out!" or something similar.[6][7]
Prince Albert pocket tobacco tins are highly collectible vintage advertising items. Value varies based on the rarity, condition, and age of the tins. The design of the tins changed over time. This is a general dating guide to the changes and evolution of Prince Albert pocket tobacco tins from their first development in 1909 to when the brand was sold in 1987.[8]
Other notable tin design variations include: