Antique Cigarette Silks, Flags, Lot of 5

Assortment of 5 different illustrations of flags cigarette silks. These silks are housed in protective plastic sleeves. Perfect for collectors or enthusiasts of vintage art and design. Great ephemera!

Cigarette silks were free premiums that tobacco companies inserted in packs of cigarettes in the early 1900s. Other than silk, they were made from fabrics like silk satin, cotton sateen, satin, and plain woven cotton. The silks usually included tobacco company names and were often printed with a polychrome image. Themes included animals, baseball players, floral designs, and Native American chiefs. Particularly appealing to women, they came in different sizes and could be sewn together to make larger pictures or quilts. Cigarette silks were offered until about 1914.