Tobacco Tags

After the Civil War, the demand for southern tobacco was in very high demand. The tobacco was wound, or flattened into 'plugs'. These plugs were shipped in wooden cartons that were labeled with the company's name. However, once these cartons were opened, one plug looked like another and it became very easy to pass off lesser quality tobacco as premium. 

Therefore, companies began inserting first wooden, then tin 'tags' into the plugs, so that they could be identified after being unpacked from the case. 

These were beautiful advertising opportunities for the companies and became one of the first widely available 'premiums' in the U.S. to be offered and collected.

The graphics on these old tags are phenomenal. 






The colors--- exceptional. 

 

I've incorporated my collection into some graphic earwear. Some will be listed at Age Before Beauty, and also at Craft and Fancy, December 3.

Thank you to all who have served, and are serving, to protect our country. 
Happy 11-11-11, everyone!