Samplers - Not All They Appear!

While recently browsing samplers for sale as I usually do while have my early morning cuppa, I came across this item. The seller was extremely confident that here was a most particular and unusually wonderful sampler. Certainly it is unique - I have never seen the like before, but certainly it is not a sampler. It is a mystery in more ways than one.

Although appearing beautifuly satin stitched, some of you will recognize this as a woven silk card that was given away with Kensitas cigarettes in the 1930s - though how many of you were smoking then, I'm sure you won't admit.

The flower designs were numerous and had a card with information. It is an absolute mystery where these cards were woven. If in the UK, it is likely they would have been manufactured around Coventry. Sadly, this area was blanket bombed in WWII and if there were records, they are now lost. JJ Cash who are still weaving silk items did not produce them.

Since the proprietor of Kensitas was German, it is possible they were made in Europe. In fact many of the designs have a Dutch sister, though presented on a black background. These were produced in 1926 by the Turkish Macedonian Tobacco Company.

Turmac for short - here is an original tin.

However, the earliest examples of these silk flowers were produced in the USA in 1912 by Egyptienne Luxury Cigarettes and the designs represented the flowers of each state. All are highly collectable and individually have a value of between £4-£6.