Cut A Rug - Part 2

I did a little research and found some great websites out there about tobacco felts.  There are literally thousands of variations out there.  Most felts are actually flannel !  If you missed my first post, click here: Cut A Rug Part 1

In the early 1900s, tobacco companies began inserting small rugs as advertising promotions or premiums into packages of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and there is some debate on if they made their way into cigar packaging. Larger rugs were also offered and could be ordered directly from the company by sending in a number of package coupons. All of these rugs were printed on flannel, felt or velveteen with silky eyelash fringe sewn on the ends. Less common ones were woven with silky threads creating the pattern and fringe. The majority of rugs - felts, flannels or silks as they were popularly called, were produced between 1910 and 1915, with production ending in the 1920s. These are a few from my collection.

This is a larger one that I use in my Tootsie toy great room.  It measures 3-1/2" X 6-1/2"

 I particularly like this giraffe print one.  I have always liked the bright pink fringe and envisioned it in a child's bedroom.

 Rugs are usually marked on the back.  The markings tell which factory number they came from.  Some companies were better than others about marking the backs.

I came across a great site, The National Cigar Museum has a great website with more info that I could ever put on my blog here:  National Cigar Museum Website  


I end with another great piece that I found on the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum website.  A quilt made from tobacco felts with flag prints.