The style of  art known as Tramp Art blossomed in the 1860's-1930's. While the smaller objects like boxes were constructed by hobos and tramps during their travels, the larger objects are believed to be constructed by these same folks during times which they settled down and maintained a workshop.

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Made from reclaimed materials, primarily cigar boxes, the objects feature detailed geometric chip-carvings layered together with other materials. They made a variety of useful objects including jewelry boxes, sewing caddies, picture frames, and even furniture.

Tramp art or Hobo Art being a wanderer's art form, there are very few written records and the craftsmen who made these pieces are anonymous. There is only story and myth about the lifestyle of these American wanderers, and those stories from the oral tradition have become the facts which we relate.

The tramp and the hobo regarded themselves as different. While the hobo was a traveller who moved about to find work, the tramp was part conman and part tradesman, working when it suited him or breaking the law to get by as the need arose. The hobos often feared the tramps or held them in disdain for their laziness while the tramps thought the hobo a fool for working so hard for so little. Despite their differences, they both found refuge at the edges of cities in encampments called "hobo jungles".

The jungle was a place to come together, find refuge and companionship, and share some of the "Mulligan Stew" which was a combination of whatever the tramps and hobos could bring back to share. Those who did not bring a contribution would do the cooking or gather firewood. Everyone was required to clean up after themselves; all were welcome in the jungle as long as they obeyed the rules.

Many of the tramps and hobos chose the lifestyle for various reasons. It is told that that some number of them were self educated and well read in subjects such as economics, philosophy, religion, and literature. The oral tradition helped pass the time as they would share their knowledge and ideas with each other.They would sing, recite poetry and work on their art as they reclined after their meals in wait of the following day when they would return to their various ploys.

It was in the jungle that many of the smaller objects were made. When completed, the tramps would sell these or trade them for food, money or goods. The larger furniture objects were likely to have been made by tramps who for a time did not travel, but had gained the skills for these larger projects in the jungles.

This is the origin of tramp art. While the folk art form spread among the hobo and tramp community, it is thought to have originated from the German and Scandinavian "Wanderbuersons" or wandering apprentices. Their works were popularized as the traveled the American countrysides searching for work or simply living the vagabond lifestyle.

The second contributing factor to the proliferation of tramp art was the abundance of cigar boxes at that time in the US. By the turn of the century, cigar smoking was greatly popularized as a sign of affluence and masculinity. The boxes were made from easy to carve cedar where the cigars were made and shipped to the cities. At the time, revenue laws prohibited the boxes to be reused for cigars, so crafty individuals found creative uses for them.

From time to time, the Richard Gervais Collection uncovers one of these incredible pieces. They can be found in our Ethnic Art and Folk Art section.