Tobacco Quilt, Trade Cards & Early American Advertising

Flag Quilt, c. 1915
Maker unknown; American
Cotton and wool;
61 1/2 x 75 1/2 in.
31932
Gift of Mrs. I. Kalebaugh The many different printed flannel rectangles that make up the design of this quilt’s top were not handmade by the quilt maker. Rather, they were received upon the purchase of a pack of cigarettes. Known as tobacco flannels, the novelties were produced and distributed in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The flannels certainly became items that were eagerly collected, and this sales gimmick served as advertisement, and increased sales for, tobacco companies at a time when a national form of product advertising did not yet exist. Thousands of different subjects from fruit and flowers to baseball players and the flags of countries worldwide, as seen in the quilt featured here, were distributed. Piecing together the flannels, quilters created some of the most striking and unusual quilts that immortalize subjects of interest to Americans of the period. The Last Look, 1892
Advertising Trade Card for “Newsboy” Plug Tobacco
Color lithograph on paper; 3 x 6 in.
34384.1
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Vernor G. Rich Like tobacco flannels, advertising trade cards and printed pictures appeared in the 1870s when manufacturers and producers of American trade goods began to expand product distribution. Handed out by merchants, or acquired by sending in proofs-of-purchase to manufacturers, the cards sang the praises and qualities of almost every product worthy of mention. Tobacco companies placed one trade card in each pack of ten cigarettes and asked merchants to display the examples of pictures to be had in their shop windows. The cards depicted a myriad of general subjects that captured American living, fashion, thoughts and ideas of beauty. Collectible series of cards for both tobacco and other products included Bible Verses, Birds, Views of California and Natives in Costume. The interest in images of foreign people, places and their flags reflects the curiosity and changing worldview of turn-of-the-century Americans. Advertising Trade Card for Allen & Ginters Cigarette Co.; Richmond, Virginia
Color lithograph on paper; 2.75 x 1.5 in.
34384.2
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Vernor G. Rich
All text and images under copyright. Please contact the Collection Department for permission to use.Information subject to change with further research.