Description

Late 19th Century; Original, 10” height, platform measures 11” x 4.5”, Extremely important and rare desktop figural bull titled “Smoke Blackwell’s Durham” with a standing bull mascot over a pack of Genuine Durham Smoking Tobacco. The statue appears to have been molded using a hard chalkware composition medium.  Bottom has original nametag “W. E. Smith Maker 733 / S. Twelfth St. Philadelphia, P.A.” The statue appears to be nearly all-original, with some restoration in one ear and tail. There is scattered paintloss, some wear and minor chipping on the platform. Overall, this statue is outstanding with great eye appeal. After extensive research, we have been unable to locate another example. We encourage advanced collectors and museums to view this here in our gallery. Please view photos. Provenance: B.W.C. Roberts Durham N.C. Tobacco Collection

Artist or Maker

W.E. Smith Maker Philadelphia Pa.

Medium

Chalkware

Date

Late 19th Century

Condition Report

Very Good Original

Exhibited

Currently Mebane Antique Gallery and available for preview

Literature

The "Blackwell's Bull Durham" figural display statues were iconic promotional items produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to market the legendary tobacco brand based in Durham, N.C.. These antique cast-iron, chalkware, or wooden display pieces are highly prized by collectors of vintage advertising. The "W.E. Smith Maker" stamp most likely refers to William Earle Smith (1820–1899), a recognized 19th-century Philadelphia artist and craftsman. Working predominantly out of the Philadelphia region, his surviving pieces—often historic panoramas, watercolors, and crafted works—frequently surface in regional estate auctions like Invaluable.

Provenance

B.W.C. Roberts Durham N.C. Tobacco Collection

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

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.