Cigar Art - William Bertkau

[SideWinder]

My dad recently inherited a couple of pieces of art. The person who had them was 96 years old and knew the artist personally when she lived in New York in the early 1900's. My dad was told that the artist worked for a cigar company and his job was to paint and draw for advertisements, etc. I don't know the name of the cigar compnay.

There are two paintings - one with cigars and one is an original watercolor of a place not far from where the lady grew up. As best I can tell, the artists name is William Bertkau. Maybe someone out there has heard of him or can correct me on the name.

Anyone? Anyone?

http://ligon.biz/cigars/cigar_art.htm

http://ligon.biz/cigars/water_color.htm