Description:
This Melbourne Lights – light cigarettes made in Argentina, marked Argentine banderole "Código N° 2 CIGARRILLOS"„, confirming domestic turnover under local excise laws (24,674 lei). A warning is visible on the side „"El fumar es detrimental para la salud - Ley N° 23.344"“, as required by the national tobacco control regime.
The design is subtle and modern: white color with a gentle purple gradient on the right side of the package and with a metallized "Melbourne" logo. Inscription „Light“ written in italics, giving the packaging an elegant and clean look. The bottom part is marked „Industria Argentina“, indicating local production, and in the upper corner - the number "19", indicating the number of cigarettes in the pack (an unusual version, as there are usually 20 pieces).
This release is considered one of the less common brands in the Argentine market, which was designed to compete with international ones in the Light segment (e.g. Marlboro Lights, Chesterfield Blue).
The package is originally sealed with film, with the label fully intact, but there are small aging spots visible on the surface - a natural result of long storage.
Value assessment:
Collectible Value: Average, Rising. Due to the fact that Melbourne was a smaller scale local brand and this edition is practically no longer on the market, its value is gradually increasing among South American cigarette collectors.
Condition assessment: Very good (package is sealed, but with minor signs of surface stains).
Historical data: The Melbourne series was one of BAT's (British American Tobacco) regional initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s, when the company attempted to establish local brands based on international models.
