My favorite vintage tea collectibles ever (maybe!)

Now I can't say with absolute certainty that I have come across the best vintage tea collectibles ever, but these are certainly in my Top 5 of all-time favorite finds. So what do you suppose they are? Two books in slipcases, both written by Robert Jackson, right?

Oh, but they're not!

Take them out of their cases, and you see two box-like pieces that are actually from Jacksons of Piccadilly, and they are ...

... tins of tea!

How do I love these? Let me count the ways! I'm scheduled to speak on Tea and Books at a local library fundraiser and tea this fall, and when I came across these on eBay I realized immediately they would be perfect for a display table there. At 4-1/4 x 6-1/4 x 2-1/4 inches, they're certainly book-like in appearance.

I wanted them simply for decorative purposes, so I was surprised when the tins arrived and were packed with tea. They must be decades old, and yet there remains a distinct "tea" scent. (And no, I didn't actually try preparing the tea. Not quite sure that would be safe!)

Now wouldn't you love to see "editions" of various teas issued in book form today? I for one would "subscribe" to the entire series, and I'll bet many of you would as well!