cars in Karori Road, Wellington, circa 1960

 

And not many of them, probably on a weekend when most of NZ would simply close up. A Ford Consul or Zephyr is parked outside the Fish and Chip Shop, whose wrappers seem to be blowing around the street, and on the other side an early 1950s Hillman Minx.  A 1930s van is at the Mobilgas station and something else from the 1940s is further back. As well as the trolley bus wires a De Reszke cigarettes sign is visible.  These were named after Jean de Reszke (1850-1925), a famous Polish opera singer, and were advertised as ‘the Aristocrat of Cigarettes’. They are believed to have been produced by J. Millhoff, a Russian cigarette maker living in London. He created a special blend of tobacco that – it was believed – would not damage the famous singer’s voice. In gratitude Millhoff was allowed to sell the blend as ‘De Reszke’ cigarettes.


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