The pictures below show larger front and back views of this Early 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 larger 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 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 The closed cigar fan measures about 5-1/2'' long. It appears to be in excellent or better condition as pictured. This cigar fan has been displayed opened for a long time. It could be closed with some care, but rather then force it closed, and possibly break it, the cigar fan will be sold opened as it is pictured. |