On Saturday May 13th 2006 I attended the Grass Valley Old West Antiques Show in Grass Valley California, and  found this circa 1890 Edwin J. Gillies coffee tin with an illustration of a football game. 

My friend John Bounaguidi was set up, and had gotten gotten two of these tins, one white, one red, out a a Hunt's auctions a year or so ago. He had the red one at the show and offered it to me for what he gave, which was $considerable$. I think it's a little faded, as I've seen another red one that wasn't. I couldn't make up my mind, so John told me to take it home and see how it works in my collection. I worked it in with my other tins and it looks pretty nice, plus my girl friend Barbara thinks I should get it, so darn I guess I'll have to now...it'$ only money!

If you can believe it, the Gillies Coffee Company is still in business, and they have a website with they're history. Seems they were a major player in the coffee business in New York City starting in 1840. Click here to read they're interesting story.

I've only seen a few examples of this tin in 18 years, and always wanted it. I'd sort of like to wait for one in a little better condition, but they're so rare I suppose I better bite the bullet while this one's available. Not only are the football graphics really nice, but it's American...not Canadian, not bloody English! On top of that it's one of the best depictions, of 19th century American football used for advertising, and I think it's the only tin with 19th century football.