This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2017
Back in the days when cigarettes were good for you, advertisers did everything possible to line up as many baseball heroes as they could to tout their products to adults as well as an up and coming clientele of new smokers. Chesterfield cigarettes went all out on this immensely eye-pleasing advertising piece, lining up baseball legends Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Joe DiMaggio to join reigning National League wins leader Ewell Blackwell, defending National League MVP Bob Elliot and World Champion manager Bucky Harris on this incredible 21" x 21 1/2" advertising poster. Although four of the six men appear to have a cigarette in their mouth, a closer look reveals that the tobacco stick appears to be superimposed in position and none of them were actually smoking. But with this kind of star power, there's no doubt it was an extremely successful advertising campaign. Produced on moderately thick baseball card-like stock, the piece shows various creases scattered on the surface that in no way impedes upon its amazing aesthetics. Some minor restoration has been done but it's not really noticeable, while the blank brown reverse appears virtually brand new save for a few minor spots. This particular ad was featured in various periodicals at the time, but few actual display pieces have survived over the years and just a handful have been fortunate to retain the color and integrity featured here.