The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-26

ACTUAL SIZE AND DESIGN OF THE sTAMP.
This matter OF O guarantee label has been
talked OF for nearly two years. The manuac-
turers Of Havana are organized in a union for
mutual protection, and ono OF the difficulties
with which they have had to contend Is the
disposition Of constituencies dealers in this
country to sell domestic cigars as Havanas.
Tho customs officials stamp every box Of
cigars arriving at this port with label that
certifles that the cigars were made in a foreign
country. but tho Government stamp does not
distinguish the different countries from which
cigars come. So 1t has happened that German.
Dutch. and Mexican cigars, as well as cigars
from other tobacco manufacturing countries.
could not be told from Havanas by the great
majority OF ordinary purchasers. What the
Cuban manufacturers desired was a stamp
that would guarantee absolutely to the con-
sumer the genuineness OF their goods. 1t took
them long time to hit upon the right idea
and longer afterward to execute It The result
is u label. q copy of which Is presented that
will prove dangerous if not impossible thing
to Initiate.
: Ii is made UP of several distinct features
The ground work is an engraving Of intricate
design. made up. OF scrolls interlacinR and
bearing the title of the manufacturers union
the label by thls background is dark orange.
Across the surface In regular. legible type are
words that state the purpose OF the label as q
are the fac simile signatures OF the President.
Vice President, and Secretary Of tho union.
liable are found at either end. At the lett IS s
copy OF the seal OF Spain permission to use
which was obtained from the home Govern
ment- This insures the cooperation OF the
Spanish authorities In prosecuting any who
may attempt 70 initiate or misappy the label.
fanciful design. the Importance OF which is
chiefly to make counterteitinG difficult, the
right-hand upper corner Is the head of Chris.
tnnha nj TlhI ia Ia atnr oTnh
This seal. oval In shape, is applied after Tho
several labels are, compared. for, tho, letters
and lines do not fall on the same place In every
case. Tho last feature OF the label is the namo
of the manufacturing concern that uses II.
stamp. the words reading from the lower left
type for this line varies with each house, being
chosen as TO make nearly complete
diagonal line across the label. In the repro
duction here given the manufacturers name
is omitted.
The use of the union label Is not compulsory
OF tho union is supplied with labels. which he
may use M he Fees ny. 1t Is generally under;
sSod hGWoyeT ina Epm this TINE al
union label The label does not certify as to
the quality OF the cigars: 1t simply assure s the
Several months ago the union notified Ameri;
begin on July l., The importers, asked Tor
delay for. alarmed by tho increa,e in duty pro-
posed by tho Mckinley bill. they had stocked
themselves with Havana tobacco for months
ahead of consumption. They argued that the
genuine Havanas already in this country
boar the now label. The union refused to de-
lay matters. An importer said yesterday that
no dealer need be disturbed about his old
stock. because tho customs stamp applied to
every box ut this port Is always dated.
doubling customer may therefore be con-
WINGED BY, showing MIN tho date Of the revenue
stamp, which will provo that tho cigars left
Cuba before the now label WINS adopted.
The union label is SO Put on the box that it
touches three sides A strong paste Is used
that makes Il impossible 10 detAch the paper
from tho wood without touring Il 10 peces