I love these little (3” x 2”) tea & cocoa  tins. Look at the bottom on the left, these companies realized that the soldiers of World War One were using the little tins as match keepers  so put strikers on them. Maybe one of these went to Ypres and back?

3 more rare little sample tins. These are probably from 1900 to 1915 and all are highly collectible (or collectable in England where they are all from).

These are not too hard to find (for $25.00) but in 2009 people were paying over $150.00 for these for some insane reason. This is from around 1910.

 From 1900-1910 a  Rowntree’s Cocoa free sample tin. In 2009 these were selling for over $150.00 (some up to $200) but the prices seem to have leveled out as this cost only $35.00.

A sweet little (2” tall) coffee sample tin. It is from 1890-1905 and quite rare as it is really old and tiny.

This is just under 2” tall and is a free sample tin from  (I believe) around 1940 or so. These always are in demand and sometimes fetch up to $100.00 each if in good condition.

A teeny tiny tea sample tin from around 1905-1920.

It is only about two inches tall. These are quite hard to find these days.

4 slightly bigger tins (2” x 3” approx.) The two on the left are from around 1900 and the next two are from 1930 to 1940.

The Vi-Cocoa on the far left is very desirable and sell (in better condition than this one) for up to $100.00, but again, in 2009 these were selling for over $300 if in good shape. The middle Vi-Cocoa  is from around 1890-1900, and the Rowntree tin (with King George VII ) is from 1902, the year of his coronation. 

To the left is a rare Nectar Tea sample tin from around 1910 or so. It is in rough shape but really good ones sell for over $200.00 and they hardly ever come up for sale.

A little sample tin from 1920 to 1930 or so; it is only 2 1/2” wide.

Two tins  from around 1930 or 1940. I’m not sure if they are free sample tins or not but they are quite small (2” x 3” approx.).