HERE’S a golden oldie that may be as old as 1892 on Division Street just east of the Bowery at Chatham Square.
El riders likely got a good look at the painted Turkish Trophies cigarette ad on the right side of the street (everything on the left has now been torn down). The brand was introduced in 1892 and sold to the James Duke tobacco enterprise in 1900, which continued the brand till about 1930. The brand distributed card sets featuring smoking cuties, though most women didn’t smoke in public until the mid-1920s. This painted may well be older than a century old. Note the Manhattan Bridge up ahead: there wasn’t much clearance for 2nd Avenue El trains beneath it.
Needing a good gimmick to draw smokers away from the more entrenched tobacco companies, Turkish Trophies first issued a premium card set, called the T1, featuring 25 stage actresses such as Ethel Barrymore. The consumer would find coupons in each cigarette package, and could choose the card they wanted by collecting enough coupons and sending them in. Then came cards with a tried and true motif — hot babes and sports. The former were in a card set called Hamilton King Girls, some with a sports theme (Horse Show Girl, Fencing Girl) and some more generic (Palm Beach Girl, Asbury Park Girl). The 25-piece L1 baseball leather set was illustrated with the likes of Tris Speaker, Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, Walter Johnson, Hughie Jennings, “Big Ed”Walsh, Nap Lajoie…etc. Again, one would collect and send in the enclosed coupons for the one they desired. [Lelands]
I’m amazed that this ancient ad has held up as long as it has, but certain brands of paint stand up to direct sun better than others.
You can find plenty of Turkish Trophy cards and memorabilia online and some are even still for sale.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
3/17/25