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Lot Essay
Abstracted features distinguish cigar-store Indians carved by Samuel Robb from those made by his contemporaries. For more information on Samuel Robb, see lot 353.
The Indian, the first American to cultivate tobacco, became the advertising symbol for smoke shops. By the second half of the 19th century, cigar store Indians reflected the taste and success of the proprietor. Indians of all shapes and sizes were featured prominently outside stores in cities throughout America until the 1890s, when ordinances required that the obstructions be placed inside the shops. The placement of the figure inside the shop along with the marketing of chain stores was the onset to the demise of both the cigar store Indian and the independent tobacconist.
The Indian, the first American to cultivate tobacco, became the advertising symbol for smoke shops. By the second half of the 19th century, cigar store Indians reflected the taste and success of the proprietor. Indians of all shapes and sizes were featured prominently outside stores in cities throughout America until the 1890s, when ordinances required that the obstructions be placed inside the shops. The placement of the figure inside the shop along with the marketing of chain stores was the onset to the demise of both the cigar store Indian and the independent tobacconist.