ITEM DESCRIPTION:

These three framed Smoke the D.T.F. Cigar paper ads were produced by Currier & Ives to bring attention to their brand of tobacco cigars in the late 1800's. They produced a number of these prints from 1885 to 1887, and all show black Americans in various comedic situations using different types of fire equipment in different situations. We are selling this set of three that have been professionally matted and framed for one price. The three include one marked 1885 with the caption The Darktown Fire Brigade - A Prize Squirt showing how much water they can pump; another marked 1885 with the caption The Darktown Fire Brigade - The Last Shake showing the aftermath of the previous picture; and one marked 1887 with the caption The Darktown Fire Brigade - Hook And Ladder Gymnastics showing the men saving ladies from a burning house. If you collect tobacco or black Americana, you will love these ads! 9908-OPP