1880s A Ward Phelps Cigar Label Salesman Sample NY Chicago Gold Pink Floral

Up for purchase is a pristine, authentic 1880s Victorian-era salesman sample cigar box label printed by the prominent lithographer A. Ward Phelps of New York. This rare piece serves as a direct "sample room" proof carried in a salesman's portfolio to pitch printing capabilities to 19th-century cigar manufacturers. It features a central open area left intentionally blank for a brand name to be custom imprinted. The design showcases stunning, vibrant chromolithograph graphics, highlighted by an ornate gold and pink floral arrangement and rich Victorian typography. Because the lithographer used this piece to advertise their own pricing and multiple branch locations, it is a magnificent crossover collectible for both antique tobacco enthusiasts and historical advertising/printing ephemera collectors. 

EXACT TYPOGRAPHY & TEXT ON LABEL:

Center text: "A. Ward Phelps - Beautiful Graphics!

Bottom margin:"Successor to Heffron & Phelps - 53 - 55 - 57 Park Place New York"

Left layout text: "No. 697 Insides - $1.00 per 100 - No. 698 Outsides $0.50 per 100. Special Price on 1000 or more" - 

Right layout text: "Western Branch 35 S. Clark St. Chicago Ill."

Fine print text: "A. Ward Phelps, Litho 53, 55, 57 Park Place NY" printed under the Open Logo Litho

CONDITION DETAILS:

Status: Choice New Old Stock (NOS) condition. 

Graphics: Exceptional color retention. The gold metallic accents remain bright, crisp, and reflective with no major fading or tarnishing.

Paper Quality: Excellent. Clean margins with no tears, folds, or pinholes. There are some faint wrinkle in the paper at the top of the label.

Wear Note:
There is some faint, minor wrinkling along the very top edge of the label.
This is consistent with age and storage in a salesman's portfolio, but the
paper remains completely intact with no tears, separations, or paper loss.

Reverse Side:
Completely unapplied. This paper has never been glued and is free from
glue residue, wood scraping, or backing damage. 

PRESERVATION & SAFE SHIPPING:

The label is currently laid flat on a foam backing board with NO GLUE or
adhesives, protected entirely by a clear layer of shrink wrap.
To ensure it arrives in this exact pristine condition, it will be packed
exceptionally securely flat between 2 sheets of 1/2" Rigid Foam Board
and in a cardboard rigid box to eliminate any risk of bending or bowing
during transit. Please review the high-resolution photos to verify the incredible detail
and exact condition of this historical piece.

An exceptional cross-market collectible perfect for collectors of antique
ephemera, stone lithography, Chicago/NYC history, and vintage tobacciana.

Historical Overview & Markings: Offered here is an incredibly scarce, 

Vibrant Stone Lithography: Features a beautifully detailed, crisp graphic.

• Artist/Litho Credit: Inscribed directly beneath the Open Logo Litho: "A. Ward Phelps, Litho 53, 55, 57 Park Place NY."
• The Transition Imprint: The bottom text explicitly notes, "Successor to Heffron & Phelps — 53 - 55 - 57 Park Place New York." This text firmly anchors the piece to the mid-to-late 1880s transition era of Manhattan’s famous printing district.
• Wholesale Price Structure: Features the highly collectible printer’s data:
  • "No. 687 Insides - $1.00 per 100
  • "No. 698 Outsides - $0.50 per 100
• Midwest Expansion: Explicitly lists the secondary location: "Western Branch 35 S. Clark St. Chicago Ill."

SHIPPING & HANDLING TERMS

• Secure Archival Packaging: We understand the fragile nature of 140-year-old ephemera. This item will be shipped flat, securely sandwiched between multiple sheets of heavy-duty, rigid corrugated cardboard to ensure zero bending or folding during transit.
• Tracking Included: Fully tracked and insured shipping to protect your investment.

Perfect for serious collectors of antique ephemera, stone lithography, NYC/Chicago commercial history, and premium vintage tobacciana.

Unlike standard individual cigar labels that were trimmed and glued directly onto wooden boxes, this rare artifact survived as an uncut, complete salesman's catalog sheet. It retains all of its original wholesale ordering data, production numbers, and regional branch office text.

Deminsions:  8" Wide x 6" Tall 

Please view all the pictures to be sure you are buying what you expect. Antique

& Vintage toys are expected to have age-related imperfections that add 

character.

**Notice**

Shipping Details: 

We specialize in high-end antique toy shipping. The original cardboard box will be isolated in protective film, heavily bubble-wrapped, and shipped inside a rigid, oversized master shipping box to eliminate any risk of crushing or transit wear. Fully tracked and insured delivery.

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This toy is old.  It is being offered as a collector’s item.  We have done our best to identify and describe this item, but we may have used an incorrect name or term in our attempt to do so.  There may be dust, dirt, scratching, missing parts, paint chips, dents or other minor imperfections present. 

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Antique & Vintage toys are expected to have imperfections from age that just add character.  I will try to describe the item the best possible way. Any major defect will be stated and pictured also to show the extent.  View photos, ask questions, and bid accordingly as there is no return on this vintage item unless it was describer incorrectly.  Thanks for looking and please review my eBay Store, Wishes and Dreams Vintage Toys!   We will be listing quite a variety of items including more vintage Items over the next few days and weeks.

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