Old cigar-store figures draw collector interest

Friday, October 22 2010

Wooden Indians have been displayed at tobacco stores since the 19th century. Store signs at that time were often pictorial because many customers could not read.

Mayan Indians introduced tobacco to Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1492, but no one understood how the dried leaves were used. But by the 1500s, Englishmen and others were smoking or chewing tobacco. Legend says that Sir Walter Raleigh gave some to Queen Elizabeth after his voyages.

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