Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

"Tobacco Silk" Ribbons Pillow Cover
1900-1915
Effie Meyers
USA: Pennsylvania, Plumsteadville
Cotton, silk
overall: 16-14"h x 22-1/2"w
Gift of Mrs. Francis G. Paul
90.16

Pillow cover top (textile) formed from applied ribbons (tobacco commemoratives?) in a variety of college and fraternal designs; designs include Chattanooga, Western R.U., 32nd degree Freemasonry, Boston College, North Dakota, O of the Bath, Past Grand O.F., Illinois College, Denison, NYR, Washington and Lee, Louisiana, Michigan Agricultural, Illinois College, cincinnati, Rochester, Grove city, Mt. Union, IORM Past Sachem, Master of Mason, O of Sparta, Baker, Pennsylvania State, BRR Trainmen, City of Dayton, Knights of Columbus, K.W.C., Bucknell, North Dakota, Past Potentate, Adelphi, IORD, Indiana, Marquette, Purdue, IOFF, City of Desmoines, B.P.O. Elks, Harvard, city of charleston, Dartmouth, California, Order of Black Eagle, L.S.U., Denison, Virginia, city of Pueblo, Golden Eagle, Royal Arch Mason, Denver, W. and J., B.P.O Elks, Baker, Cornell, NYU; some marked "Egyptienne Luxury" others marked "Factory No. 7 3rd District State N.Y."

In the early 1900s, American tobacco companies produced a variety of free tobacco premiums and souvenirs that were included with their products. One type of premium, the “tobacco silk,” also referred to as a “cigarette silk,” featured images of animals, U.S. presidents, college seals, and fraternal names and symbols. Manufacturers marketed the silks as collectible items that could be used to make quilts and other textiles. The silks, often made of satin, featured both printed and embroidered images. This pillow cover is one example of how consumers may have used these silks. The pillow cover, made by the donor’s grandmother in the early 1900s, includes over fifty-five silks that feature the names of different universities and fraternal groups from across the United States. The fraternal silks include officer titles, jewels, and symbols from familiar groups like the Freemasons, Knights of Columbus, and Elks. For further information, Blog post, November 7, 2017, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2017/11/collectible-tobacco-silks.html