Old King Cole Smoking Mixture Advertisement
Graphic Design / Commercial Illustration (Vintage Print Advertisement) • Anonymous Commercial Illustrator; typically commissioned by tobacco companies for branding
Style & Movement
Golden Age of Illustration / Art Deco influence
Medium & Technique
Chromolithography or offset color printing on paper
Creation Period
Early 20th Century (circa 1920s–1930s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 8 inches; Vertical Portrait Format
Subject Description
A depiction of the nursery rhyme character 'Old King Cole' seated on a throne, flanked by jesters in red and attendants. The imagery reinforces a theme of joviality and relaxation associated with pipe smoking.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible yellowing consistent with age and probable reproduction quality in the provided image
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 (for an original vintage print)
Auction Estimate
$40 - $100
Provenance History
Likely originally part of a promotional campaign for a tobacco brand; currently appears as a plate in a reference book or exhibition catalog
Art Historical Significance
Represents the historical intersection of folklore and commercial mass-marketing in the early 20th century tobacco industry.
Notable Features
Includes vintage typography 'Old King Cole Smoking Mixture' and classic theatrical costuming for the figures.
Condition Issues
Visible browning (toning) of the paper, possible cropping, and slight blurring indicating it is a photograph of a printed page.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct UV light and acidic mounting materials; store in archival-quality sleeves to prevent further oxidation of the paper.