Tobacconist Napoleon Statue

In the past, the illiteracy of the general populace led to a variety of easily recognizable advertisements used in place of written signs. A few of the best-known examples include barber poles and cigar-store Indians.

The association of Native Americans with cigars stems from tobacco originating in the New World, and the tobacconist statues have been known since the 17th century. In the early 19th century, England also associated the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with snuff, which the man is believed to have been fond of. Three Napoleon statues were brought from France around 1822 to be placed as tobacconist advertisements in London, Leeds, and York; only the one in York has survived.

Though displayed at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall since 1997, the Napoleon statue of York once stood in front of Mr Clarke's tobacco shop on Bridge Street for nearly a century and a half. It was once thrown into the River Ouse during World War II, and on another occasion, it was "arrested" by the police and kept in one of the cells for a night.