1920 Folk Art Board Cigarette Silk Actress Portraits

An unusual c. 1920 folk art piece featuring cigarette silk pastedowns along with an assortment of patriotic images. The cigarette silks illustrate famous early 20th century radio and stage actresses, all of roughly the same generation. Most are illustrated at the peak of their fame, roughly 1920. Among the stars featured are Billie Burke (1884 - 1970), Blanche Ring (1871 - 1961), Julia Sanderson (1887 - 1975), Elsie Louise Ferguson (1885 - 1961), Helen Marguerite Clark (1883 - 1940). The photos have a vintage flair that evokes the wild west.

Cigarette Silks

Cigarette or Tobacco Silks were silk or satin inserts into cigarette packs between, from roughly 1912 to 1915. The inserts, often with graphic printing illustrating popular subjects including actresses, animals, sport heroes, American Indians, European royalty, presidents, pin ups, and more. They were especially prevalent in more expensive brands and generally intended to appeal to women. They were collected as novelty items and are often found sewn into quilts and pasted into scrap-art albums.

All in all, a unique folk art piece.