M. Futterman Co.

Another great example of Privilege Signs in New York City are the ones provided by the Optimo Cigar Company. 

Optimo was founded by Antonio Santaella, who was originally from Andalucia, Spain and became a cigar maker in Cuba during the 1870s. In 1886, he moved to Chicago to open his own factory, which manufactured many popular brands of cigars including Optimo, Marquette Club, Reformador, and Flor de Cervera. 

Optimo was the favorite cigar brand of Babe Ruth, and the company prospered in the 1950s and began providing Privilege Signs. 

M. Futterman Co. located on Madison Avenue between 115th and 116th Streets, had an oversized, hand-painted example. The store was founded over 100 years ago and is a wholesale candy, tobacco, and paper goods family business. We loved the “Optimo Cigars” signage with its old telephone exchange EN9 painted on, but sadly the original privilege sign was replaced in 2012. 

Our photo of Futterman appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. 

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