Description

1882; Original, displayed behind glass in a wooden frame, frame measures 21.5” height, 29.5” width, sign measures 20” height, 21.5” width. This extremely important example was professionally framed under glass in the late 20th Century. This is the second and finest example we have encountered at Mebane Antique Auction Gallery. The sign is titled “Blackwell’s Durham Smoking Tobacco W.T. Blackwell and Co. Durham, N.C.” This important 19th Century tin litho single-sided sign was produced by “F. Tuchfarber Man’frs Co. Cincinnati O.” The illustration artwork of this time period captures everyday life in downtown Durham N.C. Sign features the home office of W.T. Blackwell and Co. The capitals on top of the building proudly display portraits of the three founders: W.T. Blackwell,  John R. Day, and Julian S. Carr. Two bull lightning rods, and an American flag are also featured on top of the building. The beautiful billboard in the center of the building is titled “W.T. Blackwell and Co. The Only Original Genuine Durham Smoking Tobacco Factory 39,” adorned with artwork of a standing bull in the center of the building. This illustration shows a typical business day with factory workers coming in and out of the building as well as horse-drawn carriages, man with wheelbarrow, steam engine with coal car titled “Zebulon Vance,” and other everyday activities. The lower center has a beautiful oval vignette proudly displaying a genuine Durham smoking tobacco package. We encourage collectors and specialists to carefully inspect the colors in the words “Blackwell’s” and “Smoking Tobacco”. These letters have black shadows with mother of pearl printing. After close inspection, this example is in very fine, outstanding original condition. After further examination with blacklight and magnification, there is no evidence of touchup or repair. 

There are very minor scratches, three tiny paint chips, a minor scratch in the “m” in “smoking” and the upper-right corner shows a bend in the metal that is barely visible. Overall, we believe this to be an outstanding illustration, and this sign is the finest example of the two we have encountered. Overall condition is original, and has not been inspected outside its frame. Overall, the colors are very sharp, clear and bright. We encourage advanced collectors and museums to view this museum-quality, North Carolina advertising sign here in our gallery. Please view photos. Provenance: B.W.C. Roberts Durham N.C. Tobacco Collection

Artist or Maker

F. Tuchfarber and Co. Cincinnati Ohio

Medium

Tin Litho

Date

1882

Condition Report

Very Good Original, The best known example

Exhibited

Currently Mebane Antique Gallery and available for preview

Literature

The W.T. Blackwell’s Durham, N.C. 1882 tin litho sign is a legendary piece of tobacco memorabilia. It is historically notable for its intricate factory depiction rather than just the traditional "Old Bull" mascot. Genuine 19th-century originals have fetched into the thousands due to their extreme rarity and significance to North Carolina history. Central Artwork: A highly detailed depiction of the Blackwell & Co. factory headquarters.Noted Elements: The building itself, horse-drawn carriages, and even a steam engine. Meanwhile, Washington Duke returned home from the Civil War to become a tobacco farmer. From 1870 to 1890, his company expanded from a shed on his farm to a factory in downtown Durham. His sons took over the business at its peak, and Washington went on to found Trinity College (which would become Duke University).

Provenance

Roberts

Notes

Available for live in house bidding and pay-pick up from our gallery, Always bid with confidence with Mebane Auction. Thank you Jon Lambert

Very Good Original, The best known example

Available payment options

We DO offer in house shipping. We DO NOT provide shipping estimates. We at Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, count it a privilege to be able to service our customers through our shipping department. We have and will continue to serve our customers in all 50 states & internationally. ALL items won by bidder will be shipped through the United States Post Office Insured Mail and/or Registered Mail UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY BUYER. Buyer is responsible for paying ACTUAL shipping cost (postage AND insurance), which will be added to the buyer’s invoice as soon as the item is ready to be shipped. Some invoices are subject to a $5 to $10 packaging material fee per box. This fee is based on the size, weight and amount of items purchased. There is no charge for labor or transportation to the post office. All items, will be packaged accordingly with USPS shipping standards or standards from which the company providing service. All packages, will be shipped in a timely manner. A timeline for items shipped will not be provided. Items will be shipped in the order paid invoices are received. Bidders are always welcome to pickup at our gallery in lieu of shipping. MAAG will not arrange shipping for oversized items. It is on the bidder to find a courier or pick up at our gallery. Online Bidders: We will add shipping charges to your invoice once we have your shipping cost. Once payment for the invoice is received, we will have our shipping department package and prepare your items for shipping. That means we automatically prepare items for shipping after payment is collected. We use the address listed on your account for shipping. IF YOU NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT ADDRESS OR DO NOT NEED SHIPPING AND WILL PICK UP, LET US KNOW ASAP AFTER PAYING YOUR INVOICE. We thank you and anticipate any & every item(s) purchased from Mebane Antique Auction Gallery that requires shipping to be an easy & pleasurable experience. If you have any questions, concerns, or special shipping requests please contact Bryan at 919-563-2424. As of March 1, 2025, MAAG is not liable to handle insurance claims. If an item is damaged in transit, it is on the bidder to submit a claim through the post office: https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm. As of May 1, 2025, if MAAG needs to use a third-party shipper, it is between the bidder and third party to handle shipping, including packaging and cost. MAAG can deliver to a third party, dependent on size, but will not act as liaison between bidder and third party.