Did You Know?
This Royal Military College of Canada silk marketing banner, about 1920, is an insert or premium found in packs of cigarettes or tobacco. Many of these silks were distributed in series, with some categories having dozens of different designs. One of the most popular categories was college designs, aimed at university and college students in Canada and the US. Each silk measures 1 3/4″ x 3 1/4″. The practice of inserting advertising in tobacco products and packaging began about 1870 and was common throughout the late 19th Century and the first decades of the 20th Century. The silks were often sewn into quilts and other household articles. Almost one hundred years later, we find these textiles at flea markets and online auction sites. In Canada, advertising of tobacco products was prohibited by the Tobacco Products Control Act in 1988.
Researched by E3161 Victoria Edwards (RMC 2003)
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Did You Know?
Researched by E3161 Victoria Edwards (RMC 2003)
College number 85 – William J. Stewart Canada’s first Chief Hydrographic Surveyor, 1863-1925 named Sapper Island in the Algoma District, Ontario in honour of the role commonly performed by graduates of the Royal Military College. 46o 18′ 56″ North 83o 57′ 29″ West.