You learn something everyday: Tobacco Flags

[El Presidente]

I came across an auction for a "tobacco flag" and went a little way down a very deep rabbit hole. 

Good read 

 

Tobacco Flannels - Description

 

Tobacco flannels, also called felts, were textile premiums tobacco manufacturers inserted in their products in the early 1900s to advertise their brands and attract customers. They were made of cotton flannel and produced in many designs and sizes. Popular themes included college and university banners and world flags. Women used them to make various sewing crafts, such as quilts. The insertion of tobacco flannels ended around 1916 when redeemable coupons replaced them and other tobacco novelties.

Tobacco Flannels - History

Tobacco manufacturers began inserting various promotional premiums into their packaging around 1870. Though the premiums varied, manufacturers offered textile items starting around 1905. These were hugely popular with consumers and included cigar ribbons, cigarette cards and silks, tin tobacco tags, and tobacco flannels. 

Tobacco flannels, or felts, were made of a cotton flannel fabric. Companies tucked them into packages of cigarettes and small cigars, but some wrapped them around the packages’ outsides and secured them with a rubber band. 

These colorful flannels were produced in various sizes and designs. Because Native American-themed blankets were the first patterns, some referred to them as blankets. Popular themes also included baseball and butterflies. 

Thousands of smokers and non-smokers collected tobacco flannels, and women used them to make such household items as curtains, pillows, purses, quilts, quilt toppers, table covers, and throws. Some tobacco companies included instructions for these sewing projects in their packaging. 

The insertion of tobacco flannels and other textile premiums ended around 1916 when manufacturers replaced them with coupons that consumers could redeem for a broader range of products, including appliances and clothing. However, they were still offered in Europe through the late 1920s.

 

Tobacco Flag quilt

 

[riderpride]

There's a Simpsons reference for everything. 

 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

My wife bought a bunch of them at a thrift store. She has some plans for a quilt or something. Right in line with her other 20+ sewing projects in queue.