161. Pre-War Filipiniana and Other Cigar Bands

Cigar band collecting was a popular pastime in the prewar years, as collectors sought out the intricate and colorful designs of cigar bands from various brands, including Germinal, La Flor, and Alhambra. These bands served as a symbol of the thriving tobacco industry, and collectors would arrange them into collages, creating unique works of art. Today, surviving examples of these cigar band collages are a nostalgic reminder of the past and the popularity of the cigar culture, and they stand as a testament to the rich history of the tobacco industry and the artistry behind cigar production.

Cigar band collecting was a popular hobby among smokers and non-smokers alike. The bands were readily available and made for an accessible form of collecting, with their colorful designs and intricate details making them desirable for collectors to gather, trade, and showcase. These bands were collected not only for their aesthetic appeal, but also for their rarity and historical significance, serving as a record of the collector's smoking experiences. To showcase their collections, some collectors would create albums or scrapbooks, and the hobby was not limited to any specific demographic, appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds who could appreciate the beauty and artistry of these small pieces of paper. Today, surviving examples of Philippine cigar band collections are a valuable source of information for historians and collectors, providing a glimpse into the culture and traditions of the tobacco industry in the Philippines in the past.