Lot # 2780: 1888 G1 Allen & Ginter "American Indian Chiefs" Tobacco Banner in Original Frame

Extraordinary full-color advertising poster for the 1888 Allen & Ginter N2 "American Indian Chiefs" tobacco-card set, complete in its original frame. While the poster is rare on its own, more exceptional is the fact that we have only offered one other example housed in its original frame within the past 21 years. The gilt-painted wood frame, which is ornately decorated with floral embellishments along the entire perimeter, is lettered "Allen & Ginter" along the top and "Richmond, VA." along the bottom. The colorful banner features a large image of an Indian hunting a buffalo surrounded by images of all 50 cards offered in the set. As noted on the banner, all of the images on the cards are "from the Collection in the Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C." The banner also promotes Allen & Ginter's brand of Richmond Straight Cut No. 1, Virginia Brights, and Pet Cigarettes. Produced by "Lindner, Eddy & Clauss. Lith, N.Y.," as noted in print along the base of the banner. Due to the combination of its great rarity, stunning design, and popular subject matter, this is considered by many to be the premier nonsport tobacco banner in the collecting world. Most collectors are familiar with the actual cards from the American Indian Chiefs set, which are among the most desirable of all nonsport tobacco cards, and the corresponding album, but the advertising banner is exceedingly rare. This is one of only a few examples we have ever seen and just the fourth we have ever offered. It is interesting to note that this piece has always been afforded special status within the hobby. Catalogued G-1 in the original American Card Catalog, this seldom-seen tobacco banner is one of the ACC's most highly valued items. In the 1930s, Jefferson Burdick assigned it a value of $20 at a time when the most valuable of all cards, the T206 Honus Wagner, was valued at a then very impressive $50. These banners were produced by tobacco companies for display in tobacco stores, to promote their particular brands and card issues. They are perhaps the most finely produced of all advertising displays related to card collecting and are considered by many to be the greatest prizes of all 19th century tobacco-card collecting. The offered banner (20.25 x 28.5 inches; visible dimensions), which remains housed in its original frame (24 x 32.5 inches), displays light creases, mostly at the top (we have not examined this item out of the frame). Despite the technical flaws, the colors remain strong and vibrant and the banner presents as Excellent. (Please note although this banner is housed in its original frame, the original mount that was issued with the piece has been removed and the frame was resized to securely fit the banner.) The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.