1880's Allen & Ginter, Duke's Cigarettes Advertising Posters Hit the Auction Block!

Dallas, Texas: "Every so often in the hobby an early Allen & Ginter or Duke's poster will surface, but to find eight in one collection, particularly in the exceptionally fine condition of the examples in this auction, is just unheard of," said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Collectibles for Heritage Auction Galleries.

The collection comes from the estate of two brothers who immigrated to the United States from Sweden in the 1870's, and then returned to their native land to live out their final years some time around 1920. For over seventy years, these eight posters lay forgotten in an attic in Kalmar, on the Baltic coast of Sweden, before a rare book dealer contacted Heritage with news of the remarkable find.

"Each of the posters pictures a different fifty-card set issued by the tobacco purveyors, utilizing the gorgeous Victorian lithography that characterized the graphic sensibilities of the day," noted Ivy. "While none are technically sports-related, the status of Allen & Ginter and Duke's Cigarettes as being among the earliest issuers of baseball cards makes this collection particularly relevant to our sports clientele. Of course, we fully expect collectors of many disciplines to take notice of this rare and exciting opportunity."

The eight posters will be offered as individual lots, estimated to bring $1,500 to $2,500 each.

Heritage Auction Galleries will present this incredible selection of eight high-grade advertising posters for early tobacco card issues in their upcoming Sports Collectibles Signature Auction, to be held May 6, 2006, in Dallas, Texas.

• Circa 1888 Allen & Ginter N26 The World's Beauties First Series Advertising Poster
• Circa 1889 Duke's Cigarettes N87 Shadows Advertising Poster
• Circa 1888 Duke's Cigarettes N82 Musical Instruments Advertising Poster
• Circa 1888 Allen & Ginter N4 Birds of America Advertising Poster
• Circa 1888 Allen & Ginter N17 Naval Flags Advertising Poster
• Circa 1888 Allen & Ginter N7 Fans of the Period Advertising Poster
• Circa 1887 Allen & Ginter N1 American Editors First Series Advertising Poster
• 1889 Allen & Ginter N38 Birds of the Tropics Advertising Poster

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit our Permanent Auction Archives at www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage sports memorabilia are invited to visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Chris Ivy at CIvy@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.