June 18, 2008

Cigar Flannel Flags


We share a love of vintage textiles-- mine is less educated, which is one of the great pleasures of working with Kate-- the woman knows her fabrics. One collection we have for sale is of tobacco flannels, often known as "cigar flannels" or "cigar felts". This is a misnomer though, because there's no evidence that these little pennants were ever found in cigar boxes (perhaps they have been assumed to come from there because their size is so often cigar-box-dimensioned) and they are never made of felt.

These small printed pennants were usually male-oriented in design. Flags of the world are common (most of ours are of flags) but butterflies also show up, aimed at female consumers (we also have some of these).

The flannels were distributed in or on cigarette and tobacco products, and larger felts were available in catalogs that consumers shopped in with coupons distributed in tobacco products.


The flannels are charming pinned to a string, as we show them in the shop, or lovely framed. They were often incorporated into quilts, which are highly collectible. Just one makes an interesting gift, while a grouping makes quite a visual statement. We are offering these for ten dollars each.



10 comments:

Country French Antiques said...

Hi Elise..
Welcome to the blogosphere!
Found you by way of BlogCatalog
Do you have the French flag?
I would be interested if so.
Have a wonderful day

Elise said...

I'll check and let you know. I suspect we do... I loved your blog, btw!

jgriffin said...

Really these flags look very beautiful but i cant understand why these have been named after Cigar.Definitely it is a misnomer as said by the author.I think these flags can be used to decorate houses,offices etc to give them a royal look.I am not aware of the prices of these collection if possible can you plesae give me some idea about it.One thing i would like to say that these hangings are as attractive as
Cohiba Cigars.

wanda said...

how beautiful the decorations made from flannel are very original snuff
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wanda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I have been looking on the internet for YEARS for anything regarding these flannel flags; now I find your store. We go to Memphis often; perhaps we will stop in the next time we are there. I am looking to sell the several flannel flags that I have from when I was a kid and used to play with the flags my Dad had gotten in his cigar boxes. Would love to see your store. Lady Skeet

quiltinfool said...

I hope you got my request. If not, email me at phyllislap@sbcglobal.net and I will resend

quiltinfool said...

I don't see the post. So, I will repeat. I want to make my husband a quilt with these flannel cigar box liners. I already have:
1. one 9 1/2 x 12 US flag that i will use for the center of the quilt.
2. two 8 1/2 X 6 1/2 U. Texas an U. Colorado
3. nine 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 - 2 butterflies, Argentine republic, Austria-Hungary, Guatemala, 2 Greece, Roumania, and Panama
I would like 2 more of the 8 1/2 X 6 1/2 and 3 more of the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 country flags. Maybe Italy, France and Czechoslovakia. Let me know. quiltinfool

quiltinfool said...

Hi, ladyskeet

What flags do you have to sell and what size are they? quiltinfool

Jake-Mount Vernon WA said...

I need some help! I have 70 native style cigar felts (cigar box size, 2 of them w/cheif's possibly?) 19 small square's w/baseball players, 2 flags ( slightly larger then cigar box 1 south australia, 1 servia) and 1 large USA flag w/48 stars. Im hoping for information and where/how to possibly sell them. Thanks! My email-mvwa87@gmail.com Regards, jake Mount Vernon WA