The pictures below show larger front and back views of this Early Small Version Reliable Confections Advertising Premium Paper Hand Held Cigar Flag Fan. It looks like a cigar until you pull open the end and a colorful fan appears with an American flag. The fan is not dated but it is from the early 1900s. It was used as a premium or prize by Reliable Confections (later became The Cracker Jack Company in 1922). They were used inside or on packages of popcorn, confections, candies, and others were handed out as in store premiums. There were different types and sizes that were made and used from the early 1900s to World War II and even after they were made in Occupied Japan. Some of the company “Z” numbers for these include: Z-0203, Z-0206, Z-0380, Z-0381, Z-0382, Z-0460, Z-0572, Z-0801, Z-0856, Z-0885, ZP-070, and most likely others. The smallest fans (such as this one) were used as prizes inside boxes of Cracker Jack, Checkers, and Chums pop corn confections. The fan is made of thin colored paper and wood. There is a paper cigar band or label that reads as follows: LATEST CIGAR FAN MADE IN JAPAN This is the harder to find, smaller version of this prize. The closed cigar fan measures about 3-1/2'' long. It is in working order and appears to be in mint condition as pictured. |