Amateur sigaretten 1940 - 1945

This small cigarette package was made by Louis Dobbelmann, but we don't know exactly when. What I love about this package is how it turns the mundane into something special through design. Look at the color—that muted red, almost like faded lipstick—and the gold lettering, so elegant. The surface has a texture, doesn't it? You can imagine holding it, the paper a little rough, used. The word "Amateur" is written in a flowy, cursive font, kinda ironic right? And notice the little details, like the plant on the top left and the little triangle used to open the package. For me, this piece reminds me of the work of graphic designer Alvin Lustig. Both embrace simplicity and an economy of gesture to suggest a bigger idea, transforming everyday objects into something meaningful. Ultimately, this little package is like art – it’s not just about what it is, but what it makes you feel. It’s about the questions it raises, the stories it hints at, and the conversations it starts.