Exotic Elegance: Original Tobacco Advertisement, Printed in circa 1899
€ 970
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1899
Sheet size
52 × 35 cm (20.5 × 13.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13834
Condition
Condition is good, with vibrant colors and clear details, though the paper shows some toning with one tear in the top, some blemishes, scratches and spots due to handling and aging over 125 years. It certainly is adding to its patina.
About this sheet
This is an original antique poster advertising F.J. Burrus, a tobacco manufacturer specializing in cigars and cigarettes. The poster highlights the company's founding in 1814 and its achievements in exhibitions in Geneva (1896) and Thun (1899), where it was awarded honors and diplomas.
Details of the Poster:
-The poster is designed to promote F.J. Burrus tobacco products, showcasing an oriental theme with figures in Middle-Eastern attire in a desert town setting. The imagery was intended to evoke the exotic origins of tobacco and appeal to European consumers' fascination with distant cultures.
- The artist of the poster isn't mentioned directly on the piece itself, but it was likely produced by a commercial artist specializing in advertising, commissioned by the F.J. Burrus company.
- This was made for F.J. Burrus to advertise their tobacco products, specifically cigars and cigarettes.
- The poster mentions exhibitions from the late 1890s, suggesting it was likely published around or shortly after 1899.
The condition is well-preserved, with vibrant colors and clear details, though the paper shows some toning with a one tear in the top, some blemishes, scratches and spots due to handling and aging over 125 years. It certainly is adding to its patina.
This poster is a vivid example of late 19th-century commercial art, using exoticism to enhance the allure of everyday consumer goods.
Summary: The German poster is a color lithograph from around 1899, with dimensions of 51 x 34.5 cm, featuring an "Arabic scene" and made for F.J. Burrus to advertise their tobacco products in St. Croix and Boncourt. The physical condition, while generally good, includes some specific issues like edge reinforcements, a small tear, and a scratch, along with mounting residues on the back. These details are important for assessing its value, both historical and monetary, especially for collectors or conservators interested in late 19th-century advertising art.
