Aluminium cigar tubes are as much a part of the Havana cigar world as cedar boxes and glass-fronted humidors. Today, tubed cigars are a familiar sight in every UK humidor, prized for their protection and presentation. But few smokers know the story behind the humble tube — or the eccentric character who brought it into being.
From Frankfurt to London: The Frankau Legacy
The origins of the aluminium cigar tube stretch back nearly two centuries.
- 1839 – Joseph Frankau emigrates from Frankfurt to London and establishes J. Frankau & Co. Ltd.
- 1850s – The Frankau family partners with the Upmanns in Havana, becoming the sole UK distributor of H. Upmann cigars.
- 1904 – Arthur Frankau dies; his 21-year-old son Gilbert inherits the company. More interested in writing novels than cigars, he nearly bankrupts the business.
- 1916 – J. Frankau & Co. is sold to rivals Braden & Stark.
A Crisis in Havana
- 1922 – The Upmann family’s Havana bank collapses, threatening their cigar factory. Otto Braden of Braden & Stark travels to Cuba with £10,000 to protect the brand.
- 1925 – Otto secures the purchase of the H. Upmann brand and factory, establishing Compañía Frankau de Tabacos S.A. in Havana.
- 1930 – Otto dies, leaving his son Waldo Braden in charge.
Waldo’s Big Idea
- 1932 – Waldo identifies the need for better packaging to protect cigars during shipping and storage. He experiments with impact extrusion to produce aluminium tubes.
- September 1933 – Waldo patents his closure system, the Solo-Seel, funding development himself.
- December 1933 – The first tubed H. Upmann cigars are launched. They are an instant success.
- May 1934 – Waldo secures exclusive rights to use the tubes for H. Upmann, receiving £200 and a halfpenny royalty per tube.
A Maverick Ousted
- 1935 – With chairman James Stark in poor health, J. Frankau is sold again, this time to J. R. Freeman & Sons. Waldo bitterly opposes the sale, even stealing the company safe keys.
- Later in 1935 – Waldo is dismissed after it is discovered he added unauthorised margins to Solo-Seel sales. His career in cigars ends in scandal.
The Tube Today
- Present day – Nearly 40% of Havana cigars sold in the UK now come in aluminium tubes.
They remain popular because they:
- Protect cigars from knocks and travel damage.
- Help preserve humidity and freshness.
- Make cigars ideal for gifting or carrying on the move.
From a Romeo y Julieta Churchill to a Cohiba Siglo VI, there’s still something special about twisting open a cedar-lined tube before cutting and lighting.
Why Buy Tubed Cigars?
If you’re choosing between a boxed cigar and one in a tube, here’s why many UK smokers go for the tubed option:
- Protection: Tubes shield cigars from cracks, dents, and wrapper damage.
- Freshness: The cedar-lined interior helps maintain humidity until you smoke it.
- Convenience: Perfect for slipping into a pocket, golf bag, or suitcase without a travel humidor.
- Presentation: Tubed cigars make elegant gifts, especially for weddings, dinners, or celebrations.
Final Puff
Next time you slip a Havana cigar from its aluminium tube, spare a thought for Waldo Braden — the maverick innovator of the 1930s whose determination reshaped cigar packaging and gave us one of the cigar world’s most enduring traditions.