This vintage wooden box is a Charles Denby cigar box made in 1963.
Charles Denby is a brand by the Fendrich Cigar Company, also known as H. Fendrich. The Fendrich Cigar Company was founded in 1850 and owned by the Fendrich family; four brothers living in Baltimore after immigrating from Germany. They moved their headquarters to Evansville, Indiana in 1855 and opened a new factory in 1912. However, this factory was shut down in 1969.
Charles Denby, who this brand was named after, was a Colonel for the Union army during the US Civil War.
Originally held in this box were 50 Charles Denby “invincibles” cigars.
The outside of the box is a yellowish tan color with a woodgrain-like pattern. In the center of the top is a ruby red and navy blue diamond with “CHARLES DENBY” printed in white print with a cursive tan “H” above and “F” below. “INVINCIBLES” is also printed beside the diamond in black. all around the outside edge on the top, “CHARLES DENBY” is printed repeatedly in white. A similar design and logo can be found on the other sides.
On the inside, the bottom is plain off-white paper. On the top, “CHARLES DENBY” is written in raised navy blue and gold lettering beside “INVINCIBLES 2 for 15 cents” in red. In the center is a printed head portrait of presumably Charles Denby, outlined in raised gold paint. Below this, it says, “‘Tastes like a TEN-CENTER’” in red and smaller, “H. FENDRICH, INC. ESTABLISHED 1850”.
The box has some scratches and marks from age and use, but is still in good condition.
It measures 8.5” wide x 2.5” tall x 6” deep and weighs 6.9 ounces before packaging.