Labels
TOBACCO LABELS. A collection of 1875 labels, boxes, etc. tipped in to 34 notebooks. Small folios, 310 x 225 mm, bound in pail blue paper wrappers labeled 'Dessin' with a woodcut illustration of a hot air balloon flying over a townscape on the front of each. France: ND. [Early 20th century].
A compendium of tobacco related commercial design from the first half of the Twentieth Century. The compiler of these albums has neatly ruled most pages of 34 sketch books in red and black and thoughtfully arranged over 1800 examples of cigar and cigarette labels, cigarette cards, matchbooks, etc. from around the world. The third dimension of what would have been boxes for the labels, has been drawn in by hand for each example, sometimes filled in with colorful gouache or silver ribbon. The imagery on the labels range from exotic locals, architectural scenes, costume, nouveau aesthetics, American Western themes among much else. The collection also includes a large number of cigarette cards from the Algerian company Melia featuring colour tinted photographic glamour shots of women, often seductively posed.
In all the there are 471 cigarette packs or cards, 103 cigar packs or boxes, 249 cigar labels, 1032 match boxes and 20 razor blade wrappers. A remarkable, aesthetic assemblage that remains in exceptional condition with just the odd tear and minor discoloration to a some labels.
Item nr. 152162
Price:
$15,000.00