Theo Gier Vineyards, Oakland, CA. Hanging Sign, Circa 1905

THEO GIER SOLD WHISKEY TO FINANCE HIS LOVE FOR WINE!

Theo Gier was a well-known wine producing baron in the late 1800’s in the present day Napa Valley Region outside San Francisco.    Headquartered in both Napa and in Livermore, Mr. Gier started his business career in Oakland at 511-515 Fourteenth Street where he started a General Store and sold large quantities of whiskey.   Eventually the…

Piper Heidsieck National Cut Plug Tobacco, Louisville, KY

PIPER HEIDSIECK SOLD CHAMPAGNE FLAVORED TOBACCO?

This beautiful Victorian lithograph from the Piper Heidsieck National Tobacco Works Company in Louisville, Kentucky features a pretty woman, surely designed to catch a male’s eye.   Since many were the typical smokers in the late 1800’s when this was made, that makes sense.  What I find interesting is the bottle of champagne which is featured…