We live in a world where youth is exalted. Of course, this has not always been the case. Once upon a time, it was fashionable to wear white wigs and to powder your hair to imitate the most conspicuous symbol of old age - white hair - in the belief that older is better. Basically, older meant wiser, a very desirable quality then.

But that was long ago. Nowadays, we have topical applications, oral medications, surgical operations, elixir combinations, and other thingamajigs to help you stay young, feel young, and look young. Maybe we should all just never grow up and stay teenagers with acne-ridden skin, clumsy hands and feet, unsightly braces and mile-high insecurities.

Fortunately, there are some things that get better with age. Let me see - wine and women, love and affection, churches and castles, and antique items. Of course, you would get into trouble if you equate women with things, but you get the drift.

If you are into old items - make that antique items - that are both practical and beautiful, then antique items can be your next collectibles. If you collect cigarette cases for the heck of it, then you can visit RussianAntiqueStore.com and check out their line of authentic Russian antique cigarette cases, among other things.

Of course, as with any authentic antique, you have to be prepared to shell out more money that you would for new cigarette cases. This is understandable as you are paying for more than just a practical item where you can store your cigarettes; you are also paying for history itself! Imagine having a hundred years’ worth of stories in the palm of your hand plus the bragging rights to have a truly unique cigarette case and you will whip out your credit card in no time, recession be damned.

The most expensive cigarette case the site carries is the enamel case, priced at $2,900. And every cent seems to be worth it - gilded inside, beautiful enamel outside in bright colors of turquoise, white, red and navy, with working lock/release mechanism, and in perfect condition!

If you are unwilling to part with this amount of money, then there are other affordable cigarette cases in the line. Just make sure you maintain them in good condition and you might be able to sell them at a higher price years later. It is after all the axiom of antique collection - buy them now, sell them later.

Thank the Almighty for rat packs, right?

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