JOB (rolling papers)

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JOB rolling papers are a popular brand of cigarette paper produced by Republic Tobacco in Perpignan, France.

In 1838, a French craftsman named Jean Bardou came up with the idea for a booklet of rolling papers made of thin, pure rice paper. The booklets were a success and Bardou's trademark. The initials "JB" separated by a diamond became such a common sight that people began referring to them as JOB, thus the brand-name was born.^[1]

In the late 1890s, the company hired art nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha to design advertising posters for the brand. Mucha drew a sinuous long-haired goddess holding a rolled cigarette. The image was inspired by Michelangelo's Sibyls from the Sistine Chapel.^[2] The poster image was so popular that it was sold as a lithograph.

[edit] Popular culture

In the movie Maximum Overdrive, which featured Emilio Estevez being chased by 'possessed' trucks, a JOB 1.5 truck was shown as one of the key vehicles.

Reptiles 1943 Lithograph By M. C. Escher shows a package of JOB rolling papers. [3]

[edit] References

^ "Les très riches heures du papier à rouler: regards sur une collection", Musée du papier d'Angoulême Online version (French)
^ Renate Ulmer, Alfons Mucha, Taschen:2002, pp. 38-40.