Old vintage lithographed tins, boxes and packets can be very attractive and valuable, and are highly appreciated by dedicated collectors. These items of antique advertising enjoy a rich and colourful history regardless from which corner of the world they originate. Collectors often share an interest in the social and economic history of specific brands and their graphic design.

The Royal Navy in Malta

The naval base on Malta served the Royal Navy from 1800 until the British withdrew from the island in 1979. During the 20th Century, the navy was able to launch many important operations from Malta. The island won the George Cross for its bravery after sustaining heavy bombardment during the Second World War.

The Royal Navy had an indelible effect on the livelihood of the island and the Maltese people. It was home to the Mediterranean fleet which was one of the largest fleets in the Royal Navy. Crews enjoyed the temperate climate, cheap living and abundant social and recreational activities the island offered, making it one of the favoured postings for officers and ratings alike.

Among the valuable commodities that the crews required were cigarettes which were in abundant supply in Malta as many cigarette making firms in Malta were hand-rolling cigarettes for the British servicemen who visited the island as well as for the local population.

S. Navarro & Co

(Cigarette Manufacturers)

Among the records from British Garrison days, one is still able to peruse copies of The Daily Malta Chronicle & Garrison Gazette and its offspring The Daily Malta Chronicle (born in the 1890s). Advertised in these newspapers are many early brands of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco, for the most part long- forgotten.

An old cigarette tin manufactured by S. Navarro & Co (successors to Schembri & Navarro) was specifically made for the HMS Chatham that was visiting Malta. This cigarette firm had its factory situated at 25, Strada S. Giovanni (St. John Street), Valletta.

By January 1898, S. Navarro was advertising their wares of cigars and tobacco. This firm had achieved quite a reputation with many medals bestowed on it at several exhibitions as revealed on the cigarette tin. For instance the Daily Chronicle of 1900 discloses that Isherwood Bros’ factory and office were situated opposite the British Consulate in Cairo and that S. Navarro were the agents for the Anglo-Egyptian Cigarettes and Tobacco Co. of that city. The latter company was the sole patentee and owner in Egypt of hermetically soldered air-tight tins for exportation to hot, damp and humid countries.

In another publication, the Guida Generale of 1908 published by The Malta Herald, one finds a full page advert listing the wares available at S. Navarro & Co. There was, we are informed, “always a large assortment of the following well-known lines in stock!”

The reputation gained by S. Navarro & Co earned through its many awards and always well-stocked warehouse were considered as sufficient credentials for the ships two Captains Sidney R. Drury-Lowe (1914, 1915) and Captain Bromley (1916) to order their stock of cigarettes in tins from this firm.

HMS Chatham

HMS Chatham was the name ship of the Chatham. She entered service in December 1912, with the 2nd Battle Squadron, before being sent to the Mediterranean. At the outbreak of the First World War she was part of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Mediterranean fleet.

The link between this Light Cruiser and Malta may be traced to the days before the outbreak of the First World War when the British Mediterranean Fleet under Admiral Milne was concentrated at Malta. Its main role if war broke out would be to protect the French African Army as it crossed the Mediterranean.

The biggest threat was expected to come from the German battle cruiser Goeben and the cruiser Breslau, both at large somewhere in the Mediterranean. Milne detached Chatham from his fleet at Malta to search the Strait of Messina and the southern Italian coast for the German ships. At the start of August, Milne was ordered to send Admiral Troubridge’s squadron to the southern entrance of the Mediterranean. Chatham was to join him once her search was complete.

The Chatham took part in most of the Gallipoli campaign, providing artillery support at some times. She was present during the landings at Sulva Bay, and at one point the only line of direct communication between General Hamilton and Admiral de Robeck, the two commanders in chief, was via the radio sets in Chatham and Exmouth. Chatham was present at the end of the campaign, during the successful final evacuation, taking part in the bombardment of the abandoned Allied positions that followed the final withdrawal.

From 1916 until 1917 Chatham served as flagship of the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She struck a mine off the Norfolk coast on 26 May, and had to be towed stern first to Chatham to repairs, so missed Jutland. She was present on the fleet sortie of 19 August 1916 that saw both the High Seas Fleet and the Grand Fleet at sea, but failed to produce a battle. During that sortie the Chatham was close to the Falmouth when she was hit by torpedoes from a U-boat.

After the war she spent two years in the Nore Reserve, before joining the Royal New Zealand Navy (1920-1924). In 1924 she was returned to the Royal Navy, but stayed in the east as flagship of the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron in the East Indies (1924-25).

In November 1925 she was paid off at Devonport.