Rare Canadian tobacco tin discovered during renovation racks up bids at auction

Advance bidding for a Canadian tobacco tin from the early 1900s is smokin’ hot, having already reached $29,000 for an item originally estimated to fetch a third of that price. And to think that the consignors almost gave it away for nothing.John and Tina Staples of Kingsville, Ont., uncovered the exquisitely preserved tin while renovating their bathroom more than 15 years ago. Thinking it “looked cool” but was worthless, they used it as a kitschy knick-knack in their home. It sat on a shelf until they recently tired of it. The plan was to donate it to the local Value Village.