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Art from Dealers & Resellers
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Folk Art & Primitives
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~HOFFMAN HOUSE OF CIGARS FOLK ART SIGNS CHICAGO 1880S~
TOP HAT GENTLEMAN TRADEMARK~BOUQUET CIGARS~HOFFMANETTE
| Start Price |
USD 1,500.00 |
| Current Price |
USD 1,500.00 |
| Time Left |
- |
| Bid Count |
0 |
| Buy It Now Price |
- |
| Reserve Price |
- |
| Start Time |
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 |
| End Time |
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 |
| Location |
Midwest |
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See more about '~HOFFMAN HOUSE OF CIGARS FOLK ART SIGNS CHICAGO 1880S~'
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Description
One of a kind folk art handpainted signs from Chicago's Hoffman House of Cigars. In 1857 Edward Hoffman opened what is the oldest tobacco shop in the Midwest- E Hoffman & Co. His was a small family business, but his dedication and innovation quickly grew his business. By 1868 he had created Hoffman House Bouquet Cigars. The brand had distinctive packaging, with an elegantly dressed gentleman with tophat and fur draped over his shoulders, smoking one of the famous cigars, and quickly grew in popularity. The brand was bought out by a larger manufacturer in 1898. These signs were discovered in a shed with a number of other old Chicago memoribilia--they had been used as backing on a hand built cabinet, with drawers made from book boxes from A.C. McClurg & Co. Booksellers & Stationers. Fortunately, the painted side of the sign was on the inside of the cabinet, preserving its wonderful color and patina. Unfortunately, for the same reasons, the original signs were cut to function in the cabinet, so portions of the original have been cut away. The Hoffman House of Cigars sign is 37" by 12 3/4" approximately, with lettering in gold, still showing a portion of the Hoffman name and a portion of House of Cigars--see pictures. The priceless portion of the sign is the oval portrait of Hoffman's signature gentleman in black top hat, waistcoat, vest, stiff collared white shirt, and long fur draped across his shoulders. He is smoking one of the famous Bouquet (Boquet as spelled on the sign) cigars, lit, of course! He has light colored hair, an upswept mustache, brown eyes and distinctive eyebrows. On the front of his shirt is painted "Hoffman House Boquet Cigars". The oval portrait itself is banded in gold and is approximately 18" tall by 11". The background is a colorwash of yellowish green to a darker green from top to bottom. The shading, coloring, and artistry of the piece are magnificent. The Hoffmanettes sign is approximately 37" by 9", with the name in fancy cursive in gold on a black background. There is a faded red band on one side and a notch cut out of the opposite side--see photos. There is also a sash of lighter color over the top of the Hoffmanettes. Both signs have scratches and nail holes. Both signs are painted on board which is 3/4" thick. The background color of both signs is black. I must assume that the signs were in use before 1898 as that is the date the brand was purchased by another company. This pair of signs could well be the only ones in existance--I have yet to find any others in my research. There is no artist signature. Here is your chance to own a famous part of Chicago history--perfect for the tobacco collector who wants an item for the collection that rarely if ever comes up for sale. Please email me your questions and requests for more photos. Check out my other auctions for more vintage finds!
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