Cool, clever, and unmistakably modern! This 1956 original by Herbert Leupin turns a simple gesture into a visual statement for Maryland’s Stella Filtra cigarettes. Two bold fingers and a rising wisp of smoke are all it takes to make the message land with impact and style. Maryland Cigarettes was a staple of the European tobacco market in the postwar decades, especially popular in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Known for its modern packaging and mass appeal, Maryland responded to shifting consumer habits with the launch of "Stella Filtra", a filtered line positioned as smooth, clean, and contemporary. Leupin’s poster captured that shift perfectly, giving the brand a graphic edge in an increasingly design-driven marketplace. As for the artwork itself, Herbert Leupin was a master of visual shorthand. He studied at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Basel and later refined his skills under the legendary French poster artist Paul Colin in Paris, training in what was informally known as the École Paul Colin. Colin’s mentorship deeply influenced Leupin’s approach to commercial design, blending playfulness with precision. Leupin went on to create unforgettable campaigns for brands like Maggi, Reemtsma, and Pelikan, using saturated color, visual puns, and crisp composition to elevate everyday products. Size: 50.0" x 35.0" Artist: Herbert Leupin Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.
