Name/Title
Premium, TobaccoEntry/Object ID
1996.037.0143Description
Silky square printed with with bust of woman in green and "Mab Queen of Ireland 15th Century" and "Zira Cigarettes" printed on the background; at bottom:
"Factory No. 7 5th Dist. N.J."
Historical Background
Cigarette silks were a popular advertising premium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tobacco companies, including Nebo, included them in cigarette packs to attract customers. These silks were typically 1.75–5 inches long, made from silk, silk satin, cotton sateen, or plain woven cotton, and were often one-sided with vibrant printed or embroidered designs
They were marketed as collectible items that could be sewn into quilts, curtains, pillowcases, or other home décor. The practice of inserting such premiums began around 1870 and in the U.S. by 1905, but most tobacco companies stopped by 1914, just before World War I
size 2-1/2"W x 3"LCollection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection