Tramp art is a truly democratic, uniquely American art form, in which works could be created with the simplest of tools, often using discarded packing crates, such as cigar boxes, the material most closely associated with tramp art creations. Some other less common names for it are cigar box art, and poverty art, reflecting the economic circumstances of the makers, and the commonly discarded materials that were used.

Was it actually made by wandering tramps and hoboes? Yes, there were some tramps and hoboes who carved some items. But the name for the art form wasn’t applied until about 1959, long after many of the works were created. The tramp art style emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The materials used were often discarded cigar boxes, fruit boxes, shipping crates and other scrap wood. 

The creative technique usually involved the simplest of tools; perhaps just a pocket knife or a few chisels, creating chip carvings, a notching and layering of the wood in geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles and triangles, making a 3-D effect. Often sections could be layered together with a technique called “Crown of Thorns” joinery, named after the crown of thorns that was placed on of Jesus Christ as he was heading for crucifixion.

While the term “tramp art” might be somewhat misleading, it does capture the essence of the art form’s creativity and resourcefulness. If you like to delve deeper into your own art, whether it be tramp art, outsider art, fine art or any other kind of creation, why not let us have a look at it? Just click on the link below.

www.siscoantiquesappraisals.com

This hanging wall box clearly matches the description of tramp art, having been made from an Osmundo cigar box. It proved to be worth about $95 at auction. I found references to Osmundo cigars selling from at least 1913 to 1918, when they sold for as much as a dollar apiece. They must have been a great smoke for that price in 1918!

Here’s a more elaborate example, a tramp art weather station tower standing tall at 30” high, with a Seth Thomas clock, a thermometer and a barometer. Despite some condition issues such as a cracked face, a missing hand on the thermometer, and a now-detached eagle finial, it sold for $577.50 at the same auction. Photos courtesy Daniel Buck Auctions.