| The pictures below show larger closed and opened views of this 1946 Unused Box of U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) Sailor Gifted Turkish Cigarettes. Because this advertising item still has original old contents, please agree to the following before purchasing this item: This item is being offered as an old advertising and U.S. Navy Historical collectible item. It is not intended nor being sold for consumption. By buying this item you agree to take full responsibility for the contents. You agree that you will not hold Time Passages Nostalgia Company liable or responsible for any injury or illness that may result by anyone mistakenly eating or smoking this item now or any time in the future. According to many sources: ''When Mehmet Munir Ertegun, the Turkish ambassador to the United States, died, his body was returned to Istanbul aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. While anchored in the Bosphorus, the Missouri fired a 19 gun salute honoring the late ambassador. The pomp and circumstance of this eastern Mediterranean voyage was one way that President Harry Truman told the USSR's Joseph Stalin to keep his hands off Turkey and Greece. Each of the sailors and marines aboard the mighty battleship was presented with a special box of thirty Turkish cigarettes.'' This old box of cigarettes features a silhouette of the U.S.S. Missouri as well as American and Turkish flags and stars on the cover. This post World War II advertising box is marked as follows: MISSOURI
WELCOME MISSOURI
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
APRIL 5, 1946
T.C. TEKEL IDARESI Inside the box are paper inserts and all (3) of the original cigarettes. It is unknown how many of these boxes have survived intact. The box measures about 5-1/4'' x 2-3/4'' x 1''. All but one of the cigarettes appear to be in mint condition. At some point in its history since 1946 the box looks like it was unfortunately visited by a mouse who chewed through one corner, and one cigarette on the end as pictured. | 
