Historical information

State Express 555, simply known as 555, is a brand of cigarette originally manufactured in the United Kingdom by the Ardath Tobacco Company. The overseas rights to the brand, excluding the United Kingdom, were acquired by British American Tobacco (B.A.T.) in 1925. It was sold widely throughout the world. Sir Albert Levy (1864 – 1937), born in England became a successful tobacco trader, cigarette manufacturer and exporter. On 31 July 1895 Sir Albert Levy registered the trademark ARDATH in the Republic of Ireland.. He visited the United States and while in New York State, he was a passenger on the Empire State Express train. . The word trademark was first registered in Ireland on 10 March 1896. In the United Kingdom, Ardath's brands endured, to the point where they were granted a Royal Warrant by King George VI in 1946 and again later by H.M Queen Elizabeth II. In 1961, British American Tobacco bought out Imperial Tobacco's share of Ardath, thus gaining full control of Ardath's trademarks

Physical description

2x Tins with hinged lids to contain State Express Ready Rubbed Virginia Tobacco .

Inscriptions & markings

Outside: STATE EXPRESS / READY RUBBED / Absolutely Unique in its quality / VIRGINIA TOBACCO / ARDATH FINE CUT
Inside lid : EVERY TIN OF GENUINE / STATE EXPRESS / READY RUBBED / ARDATH FINE CUT / has the name of ARDATH / printed on the paper lining