Thread: Porpoise leather strops for tobacco tags..

Just take a look at this: http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/rjrtags/ill29.html

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy old time
ads such as this, especially razor themed
ads.


Terry

They made strops out of Flipper?

The ad says porpoise finished. I wonder if that was some sort of treament/embossing to the leather like "diamond cut" or something?

Once again... They made strops out of Flipper

Too expensive. They probably just used the fat to treat regular leather.

Curiosity got the better of me when I saw one advetised on Ebay.
From what I can see, it looks like normal leather with a very thick black coating of some kind that is very slick and shiny. So I presume the porpoise treatment is like a fake seal skin finish.
By the way, the strop is usable but I will have to remove said porpoise finish due to its wearing in places making the surface uneven.

Ebay strops are usualy poor condition so it was to be expected but still satisfied my curiosity

PuFF

What's a tobacco tag?

Gareth

Originally Posted by spacetoast

They made strops out of Flipper?

Perhaps they ran out of the horse hide from "Silver"

('Hi-ho Silver, Away!')



C utz

Originally Posted by Galopede

What's a tobacco tag?

Gareth

Wow, I know an answer! Tobacco tags are the covers, plugs, or sometimes cards in old time tobacco tins. Mostly chewing tobacco but some pipe and rolling tobacco as well. The old ad that is being referenced is showing a reward system just like sending off cereal box tops, or more directly related the "Marlboro miles" in modern Marlboro packs. The most interesting thing about these tags and why they are collectables now is the old time companies were creative with their artwork and some of them are quite unique. Here's some examples..
http://www.the-forum.com/ephemera/papertag.htm