BACKGROUND: Although Hitler himself despised smoking the habit was firmly entrenched in Germany, as elsewhere, when he came into power. As with most other nations the German government levied a tax on all tobacco products sold as a source of revenue.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 9cm x 6.5cm, red cardboard construction cigarette package with beige printed script and logo. The printed script includes the manufacturers name, "Austria Tabakwerkee A.G.", "Milde Sorte" and the manufacturers logo of a stylized eagle with spread wings with "Regie". The package still has its original, glued on, blue and tan printed tax seal featuring an embossed national eagle with outstretched wings. The tax seal also has printed script which includes the quantity of cigarettes, "10 Zigaretten", and price, "Rpf 4". The unopened package has edge wear with some tearing.