the epitome of British smoking - The ‘Woody Woodbine’.

W.D. & H.O. Wills created the ‘Wild Woodbine’ brand in 1888 along with another brand called ‘Cinderella’. The Wild Woodbine was frist sold in tin sleeves of 5 followed by paper sleeves of 5. The slide packets of 10 were introduced in 1916 with the slide packet of 20 arriving in 1930. In fact, the packet of 5 was still available up until 1973 and the price was a mere one penny (old dough) till 1915, when a farthing was added to the price!

In 1920, the 5 pack soared to 2 old pennies whereupon the price held fast for almost 20 years.

Why was it called Woodbine? There are several thoughts, but probably the most held one is that it was associated with a plant of the same name.

This totally untipped cigarette was smoked by virtually every British smoker at one time or another.