FILTERED
Advertisements convey the global representation of the city as a “tobacco capital of the world.” Postcards, tour brochures, and historical markers demonstrate how city elites have promoted the tobacco industry. Tobacco and its smokers headlined festivals and football games, fronted Richmond’s stores, and employed its populace. Even today in the age of “smoke free” public spaces, tobacco makes its mark on the city. Advertisements demonstrate the everpresent commodity of tobacco in Richmond.
As you take a look at the advertisements, postcards, and photographs, consider how these filtered presentations of tobacco engage the viewer? What associations and memories do the visuals provoke?
Tobacco Capital
Richmond Club Tobacco Sign, ca. 1920s
Virginia Slims Magazine Ad, 1973
Allen & Ginter Collectors’ Album, 1887
Marlboro Magazine Ad, 1963
Allen & Ginter Gem Catalogue, 1883
Lucky Strike Metal Tin, ca.1910s
Lucky Strike Magazine Ad, 1940
J. Wright Company Plug Tin, ca. 1900
Tobacco Tourism
Tobacco Warehouse Scene Postcard Front, 1916
Tobacco Warehouse Scene Postcard Back, 1916
Lucky Strike & American Tobacco Company Postcard, ca. 1950s
Tobacco Row Historical Marker, 2020
Liggett & Myers’ Postcard Front, 1963
Liggett & Myers’ Postcard Back, 1967
Hotel Rueger Matchbook, ca. 1930s
Philip Morris Factory Tour Brochure, ca. 1990s
Everyday Life
8th Annual Tobacco Festival Poster, 1956
WRVA Edgeworth Poster for Radio Station, 1929
Lucky Strike Silo Photograph, ca. 2010s
Richmond Cigar Factory Photograph, 2020
The Tobacco Company Restaurant Photograph, 2019
Model Tobacco Photograph, 2020
Philip Morris Cigarette Monument Photograph, 2015
Carytown Tobacco Photograph, ca. 2019
Image Credits
Richmond Club Tobacco Advertisement, 1920s, Courtesy of WM Morford Auctions
Virginia Slims Skiing Stars and Stripes USA Advertisement, 1973, Courtesy of fromjanet.com
Allen & Ginter Cigarette Card, 1887-1888, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Marlboro Magazine Ad, 1963, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Allen & Ginter Gem Catalogue, 1883, Courtesy of The Valentine
Lucky Strike Metal Tin, ca.1910s, Courtesy of antiquetobacco.com
Luckies’ Finer Tobaccos Lucky Strike Magazine Advertisement, 1940, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Carter Davis, Wright Tobacco Pocket Tin Richmond VA, ca. 1900, Courtesy of icollect247
Tobacco Warehouse Scene Postcard, Front and Back, Richmond, VA, 1916, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Lucky Strike Plant & American Tobacco Company Laboratory Postcard, ca. 1950s, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Alexandra Byrum, Tobacco Row Historical Marker, May 1, 2020, Courtesy of Alexandra Byrum
Liggett & Myers Cigarette Factory Postcard, Front, February 1963, Courtesy of Card Cow
Liggett & Myers Cigarette Factory Postcard, Back, June 1967, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Hotel Rueger Matchbook, ca. 1930s, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
Philip Morris Manufacturing Center, Tour Brochure, ca. 1990s, Courtesy of the American Studies Program
8th Annual Tobacco Festival Poster, 1956, Courtesy of The Valentine
WRVA Edgeworth Tobacco Station, 1929, Courtesy of American Radio History
Angela Harrison, Lucky Strike Silo Photograph, ca. 2010s, Courtesy of Artworks Inc
Alexandra Byrum, Richmond Cigar Factory Photograph, May 1, 2020, Courtesy of Alexandra Byrum
The Tobacco Company Restaurant Photograph, 2019, Courtesy of Allie + Austin
Nicole Sackley, Model Tobacco, January 27, 2020, Courtesy of Nicole Sackley
Philip Morris Cigarette Monument Photograph, 2015, Courtesy of The Daily Rant Blog
Carytown Tobacco Photograph, ca. 2019, Courtesy of Carytown Tobacco