650.00€
Rare original Greek colour lithographic tobacco advertisement, circa 1944, printed by V. Lamprinakos (Β. Λαμπρινάκου) for Hatzigeorgiou “ΛΗΘΗ” (Lithi/Lethe) cigarettes.
This striking original poster is an exceptional example of 1940s Greek commercial art, tobacco advertising and wartime-era ephemera. It promotes ΛΗΘΗ (Lithi/Lethe) cigarettes, a Hatzigeorgiou brand associated with Macedonian tobacco, and features a beautifully illustrated woman wearing elaborate traditional Greek Macedonian-style folk jewellery.
The combination of the Macedonian cultural imagery, the reference to Macedonian tobacco and the 1944 introduction of the Lithi brand makes this a particularly interesting piece of Greek advertising history.
The Greek slogan reads:
“Το μακεδονικό σιγαρέττο με τη μεγάλη επιτυχία”
approximately translated as:
“The Macedonian cigarette with the great success.”
The lower section prominently displays the manufacturer’s name:
ΧΑΤΖΗΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ
while the illustrated cigarette packet bears the ΛΗΘΗ (Lithi) brand together with period tax markings.
Macedonian Folk Jewellery & Cultural Imagery
One of the most distinctive aspects of this poster is the appearance of the central female figure.
She is adorned with elaborate traditional Greek Macedonian-style jewellery, including large circular earrings, multiple layered necklaces and decorative floral ornaments in her hair. The jewellery and styling evoke the rich tradition of Greek Macedonian regional dress and adornment.
This appears particularly significant in the context of the advertising message. The slogan specifically presents ΛΗΘΗ as “the Macedonian cigarette,” while the woman’s folk-inspired jewellery visually reinforces the connection with Macedonia and its cultural identity.
Rather than using a purely generic glamorous advertising figure, the artist appears to have incorporated Macedonian folk-inspired visual elements to give the product a distinctly regional Greek character.
The large circular earrings, layered necklaces and ornate hair decoration create a highly recognisable and memorable composition, while also providing an important cultural dimension to the advertisement.
Hatzigeorgiou “ΛΗΘΗ” – 1944
The date is of particular historical interest.
Archival information concerning the Hatzigeorgiou tobacco industry records the introduction of the Λήθη (Lithi) brand in 1944, using Macedonian tobaccos, alongside other Hatzigeorgiou brands introduced during the same period.
This provides strong historical support for dating the poster to circa 1944, placing it within the extraordinary circumstances of wartime Greece and the Axis occupation.
The poster therefore brings together several important elements of Greek wartime history:
The Hatzigeorgiou tobacco industry
Macedonian tobacco production
The 1944 introduction of the ΛΗΘΗ brand
Greek commercial advertising during WWII
Macedonian cultural imagery
Traditional Greek folk-inspired jewellery
Mid-20th-century colour lithography
Printed by V. Lamprinakos
The lower margin carries the important printer’s credit:
“ΕΚΤΥΠΩΣΙΣ Β. ΛΑΜΠΡΙΝΑΚΟΥ”
Printed by V. Lamprinakos.
V. Lamprinakos was an important name in Greek commercial printing and lithographic production during the mid-20th century. His printing house produced a variety of Greek advertising and poster material, and his name is found on surviving examples of period printed ephemera.
The quality of the colour reproduction on this example is particularly impressive. The deep blacks, vivid reds, turquoise background and warm flesh tones remain remarkably strong for an approximately eight-decade-old paper advertisement.
The excellent colour retention gives the poster considerable visual presence and is an important feature for collectors of historical Greek lithography and advertising.
Artwork & Graphic Design
The composition is a wonderful example of sophisticated Greek commercial illustration of the 1940s.
The central woman is depicted in a highly stylised manner, with dark swept-back hair, floral decoration and elaborate Macedonian-style jewellery. Her oversized circular earrings and layered necklaces are especially prominent.
The illustrated ΛΗΘΗ cigarette packet occupies the lower portion of the composition and is rendered with considerable attention to detail. Its geometric border and bold typography complement the decorative elements surrounding the woman.
The limited palette of turquoise, cream, black, red and warm flesh tones creates a striking visual contrast.
The combination of folk-inspired Macedonian imagery, bold Greek typography and carefully rendered commercial illustration makes this a particularly attractive example of Greek advertising graphic design from the WWII period.
Historical Context
This poster was produced during one of the most difficult periods in modern Greek history.
In 1944, Greece remained under Axis occupation, while the country was experiencing severe economic and social disruption. Against this backdrop, domestic Greek tobacco companies continued to manufacture and advertise their products.
The poster consequently represents more than a simple cigarette advertisement. It is a surviving piece of Greek wartime commercial culture, documenting the intersection of tobacco production, regional identity, graphic design and everyday life during the occupation period.
Its reference to Macedonian tobacco and its use of Macedonian folk-inspired imagery make it particularly relevant to the cultural history of northern Greece and Thessaloniki.
Condition
The poster is in attractive good (+) vintage condition considering its age.
It retains strong and vivid original colours, with particularly impressive blacks, reds and turquoise tones.
There is age-related toning, gentle waviness and minor edge wear consistent with an original 1940s paper poster. These characteristics should be regarded as part of the natural history of an approximately 80-year-old printed paper object.
The poster has been preserved in a contemporary wooden frame with custom light-coloured matting, giving it an attractive presentation and allowing it to be displayed immediately.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Dimensions
Poster: 38.5 cm × 28.5 cm
Approx. 15.1 × 11.2 in
Overall framed dimensions: 51 cm × 36.5 cm
Approx. 20 × 14.3 in
Item Specifics
Type: Original Greek advertising lithograph / tobacco poster
Brand: ΛΗΘΗ (Lithi)
Tobacco company: Hatzigeorgiou / ΧΑΤΖΗΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ
Printer: V. Lamprinakos / Β. Λαμπρινάκου
Period: Circa 1944
Country of manufacture: Greece
Subject: Tobacco / Tobacciana
Historical context: WWII / Greek occupation period
Tobacco: Macedonian
Cultural imagery: Greek Macedonian folk-inspired jewellery and adornment
Poster dimensions: 38.5 × 28.5 cm
Framed dimensions: 51 cm × 36.5 cm
Frame: Contemporary wooden frame with custom matting
Condition: Vintage condition with age-related toning, waviness and minor edge wear; strong surviving colours
Collector Appeal
This is an unusual and highly decorative piece of Greek Tobacciana and wartime advertising ephemera.
Its interest lies in the combination of:
1944 Hatzigeorgiou ΛΗΘΗ branding + Macedonian tobacco + Greek Macedonian folk imagery + V. Lamprinakos printing + original colour lithography + WWII historical context.
