Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign Value Guide

Sold at Auction: Antique Piedmont For Cigarettes Virginia Tobacco Is The Best Porcelain Sign
Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign
Estimated Value
$100 – $150
Period
1905-1920
Origin
United States
Materials
Porcelain, Enamel, Metal

This antique porcelain sign represents the early 20th-century marketing of the American Tobacco Company's Piedmont brand. It is highly collectible due to its connection to the era of Virginia tobacco dominance and its historical association with the first major baseball card inserts.

What Is Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign Worth?

The typical price range for Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign is $100 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • Condition of the porcelain surface, specifically the presence of chips or 'flea bites' in the enamel.
  • The vibrancy of the blue pigment and whether the white lettering remains crisp and unfaded.
  • Historical provenance, particularly if the sign was sourced from an original general store or tobacconist location.
  • Structural integrity of the metal base, including the level of oxidation or rusting around the edges.

How to Identify Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign?

  • Look for the heavy, multi-layered vitreous enamel finish characteristic of 1905-1920 production.
  • Verify the specific deep blue background color and the detailed rendering of the Piedmont cigarette pack graphic.
  • Check for authentic mounting holes that show natural wear or 'shelving' around the grommets.
  • Examine the back for a rougher, 'orange peel' texture common in early American porcelain signage.

History of Piedmont Cigarettes Porcelain Sign

Piedmont Cigarettes were an early 20th-century American cigarette brand produced by the American Tobacco Company. They were known for their use of Virginia tobacco and were a popular brand during their time. Advertising signs like this one were a common way to promote tobacco products, often displayed outside general stores and tobacconists. The brand is also historically notable for its association with baseball cards, as Piedmont Cigarettes included collectible cards of baseball players in their packs, which are now highly sought after by collectors.

Shop Similar

Related Items

Have an antique to identify?

Get an instant AI appraisal with values, history, and market insights.

Download for iPhone