The Rolinx
Cigarette Dispenser
1950-1959 (manufactured)
1950-1959 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Mechanical tabletop cigrarette dispenser made from cream urea formaldehyde, with imitation crocodile skin detailing. The mechanism is operated by raising the roller-shutter, this propels five arms forwards from inside the dispenser presenting the operator with five cigarettes. The arms are reloaded with a cigarette when the shutter is closed. The dispenser is refilled through an opening on the front which is covered by a removable panel. Inside, there is space for twenty-five cigarettes.
On the removable front panel '600' is printed in gold lettering, and on the back, 'GEORGE COHEN SONS & COMPANY LIMITED'. Underneath is the moulded inscription 'A ROLINX PRODUCT / MADE IN ENGLAND', and patent details.
On the removable front panel '600' is printed in gold lettering, and on the back, 'GEORGE COHEN SONS & COMPANY LIMITED'. Underneath is the moulded inscription 'A ROLINX PRODUCT / MADE IN ENGLAND', and patent details.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Rolinx (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Injection-moulded and extruded urea formaldehyde; printed imitation crocodile skin |
| Brief description | 'Rolinx' cigarette dispenser; Maurice H. Robin for Rolinx; Manchester, 1950s |
| Physical description | Mechanical tabletop cigrarette dispenser made from cream urea formaldehyde, with imitation crocodile skin detailing. The mechanism is operated by raising the roller-shutter, this propels five arms forwards from inside the dispenser presenting the operator with five cigarettes. The arms are reloaded with a cigarette when the shutter is closed. The dispenser is refilled through an opening on the front which is covered by a removable panel. Inside, there is space for twenty-five cigarettes. On the removable front panel '600' is printed in gold lettering, and on the back, 'GEORGE COHEN SONS & COMPANY LIMITED'. Underneath is the moulded inscription 'A ROLINX PRODUCT / MADE IN ENGLAND', and patent details. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Fred Bulmer, a collector based in Leeds, Yorkshire, offered his collection of ‘plastic antiques’ to the V&A in late 1982. The Museum chose to purchase 59 objects from Bulmer the following year (for acquisition papers see MA/1/B3395). The objects were divided among the Museum’s collections according to object type: Furniture and Woodwork taking 26 objects (W.50 to 75-1983), Metalwork 18 objects (M.49 to 66-1984) and Ceramics and Glass 14 objects (C.41 to 54-1984). |
| Historical context | Rolinx Ltd was founded in postwar Britain by Maurice H. Robin (1912-1982), a London-born inventor. Rolinx took its name from the clever extruded roller-shutter which the operator draws back to be presented with the cigarettes. This feature was first seen on pencil boxes made by the company. This particular object was produced as a business gift for George Cohen, Sons & Company, a London scrap metal merchants. The '600' printed on the front panel of this object refers to the company's first address, at 600 Commercial Street, London. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.49-1984 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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