This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/30/2005.
Extremely rare oversized 45" tall x 63" wide baseball-themed Lucky Strike tobacco advertising tri-fold display, dating circa 1927-1929. The display is entirely hand painted canvas on cardboard and features 36 packs of Lucky Strike (green) cigarettes circling a rendition of Hall of Fame baseball players Harry Hielmann, Tony Lazzeri and Lefty Grove in the center, as well as a pack each on the side panels which feature renditions of Hall of Famers Lloyd and Paul Waner. The only years that all five of these players were active in the Majors at the same time were 1927, 1928 and 1929. Lucky Strike changed from their traditional green packaging to a white color circa 1940-1941, as the chromium needed for green dye was needed for the war effort. The original cigarette packs that were affixed to this display have been replaced by the commemorative green Luckies that were produced in 1986 in honor of 70 years of production, and are in MINT condition. In the center of the cigarette packs is the familiar red Lucky Strike bulls eye with "Lucky Strike Cigarette" in gold lettering, surrounded by varying bands of gold, black, yellow, red and black. Around the center bulls eye are renditions of baseball players as follows: on the left is Harry Heilmann in Tigers cap, swinging the bat, below whom is written in black letters "Harry Heilmann, Detroit Tigers, World’s Leading Hitter, Batting Average 396%." In the center is Tony Lazzeri in Yankees cap, fielding a ball, below whom is written in black letters "Tony Lazzeri, New York Yankees." On the right is Lefty Grove in A's cap, throwing a ball, below whom is written in black letters "Bob 'Lefty' Grove, Star Pitcher, Philadelphia Athletics." On the bottom of the center panel is a yellow panel with black lettering that reads, "You too - will find Lucky Strikes give Greatest Pleasure, Mild - Mellow - Finest Cigarette you ever smoked, Made of Choice Tobaccos, The Cream of the Crop, It's Toasted, No Throat Irritation - No Cough." The side panels both have green borders and "The Cream of the Crop" in black lettering on the bottom, and feature the Waner brothers as follows: on the left panel is Lloyd Waner in Pirates cap stretching to catch a ball, in green letters it reads "Lloyd Waner, Pittsburgh 'Pirates'" and in black letters it reads "Luckies fine flavor is enjoyable...and they never cut my wind." On the right panel is Paul Waner in Pirates cap swinging the bat, in green letters it reads "Paul Waner, Pittsburgh 'Pirates'" and in black letters it reads "Luckies give me pleasure without taxing my wind or irritating my throat." The condition is as follows: the piece shows evidence of partial restoration. There is some discoloration on the lower quarter. There is some minor fading on the center bulls eye and players. The entire piece has been clear-coated. There is some small paint and coating chipping throughout, as well as some cracking, especially on the lower left portion of the right panel where it attaches to the center panel. There is also some tape residue on this and the adjoining section. Overall, this piece is in fantastic condition for its age, given it ephemeral nature. Finally, the entire display has been attached to a larger 48" x 68" piece of cardboard. This item will be expensive to ship.