This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/20/2013
In what many consider to be one of the more attractive Baseball themed advertisements, Lucky Strike Cigarettes produced a "Trolley Car" sized advertising board issue in 1928. Every sign which is similar in design, pictured a different baseball star of the day in promotion of Lucky Strike Cigarettes. The signs are also of special note as they are amongst a select few advertising items portraying Baseball players from the 1920's that were issued in full color. Offered here is an outstanding example of the Lucky Strike trolley car sign featuring Hall of Fame outfielder Lloyd Waner. The sign pictures a large illustration of Waner in a fielding pose and prominently identifies him by name along the top. Below his name, the advertisement extolls his status on the ball field: "Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Senasation—1927." His ringing endorsement appears alongside his image: "Luckies fine flavor is enjoyable..and they never cut my wind." In their choice of ballplayers, the company certainly recruited the cream of the crop, as all five players featured in their advertisements were later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (Lloyd Waner, Paul Waner, Harry Heilmann, Lefty Grove, and Tony Lazzeri). In the late 1970s a hoard of about fifty "Lucky Strike" signs surfaced. Most top-grade examples found today, almost certainly including this very piece, originate from that single find. The sign (21 x 11 inches) displays light staining along the white border areas and a few extremely minor creases (most can only be seen when viewed at certain angles). The colors remain flawlessly bright and the piece displays as Excellent. Mounted and framed to total dimensions of 29 x 19 inches.