Description:
This is a unique and exquisitely designed Indonesian kretek (clove cigarettes) pack from a series Sam Poo Kong – the name comes from the famous temple in Semarang, Central Java, dedicated to the Chinese admiral Zheng He (Sam Poo Kong).
This Chocolate ("chocolate") variant features a wood grain background with a red stripe and black lettering “Sam Poo Kong”, and below it is the slogan “Dare to be Different” – this shows an attempt to stand out from the traditional kretek manufacturers.
The package is intended for the domestic market, as evidenced by the Indonesian excise sticker and inscription “10 Kretek Cigarettes”.
The back has a description in Indonesian, emphasizing that the product is made from selected tobaccos and cloves that provide a "unique pleasure and distinctive flavor.".
Value assessment:
– Collectible value: medium / higher. Although this package is not antique, it stands out both for its design and for its rare brand, which is now almost extinct from the market. Sam Poo Kong The series was produced in limited quantities, and its name has cultural significance in Indonesia.
– Condition assessment: very good. The package is unopened, the cellophane is sealed, the corners are minimally damaged, the sticker is clear.
– Historical data and popularity: The small factory's products, such as this one, were intended for the local Javanese market, so there are almost no export copies.
