When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Offered for sale is an original c1908 Franklin & Marshall College tobacco leather, an early collegiate tobacco premium featuring the historic imagery of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This large-format leather measures approximately 3.5” × 2.5” and features a striking deep blue and gold design.
The central design depicts profile portraits representing Benjamin Franklin and Chief Justice John Marshall, the two namesakes of Franklin & Marshall College. A prominent banner beneath the portraits reads:
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
Franklin College was founded in 1787 and named for Benjamin Franklin. It later merged with Marshall College, named for John Marshall, in 1853 to form Franklin & Marshall College. The paired Franklin and Marshall portraits became important imagery associated with the institution.
This early tobacco leather is an attractive piece of Franklin & Marshall College history as well as an early example of collegiate tobacco-premium memorabilia.
Condition: Original antique condition with age-related surface wear, light discoloration, minor spotting and edge/corner wear. There is a small light-blue surface mark near the upper-left portion and a small circular impression/mark toward the right side. Please note any additional minor surface imperfections visible in the photographs.
Overall, the leather displays exceptionally well, with strong deep-blue coloration, bright gold imagery and sharply defined portraits and lettering.
No cleaning or restoration has been attempted.
Please review the photos carefully for exact condition. You will receive the exact Franklin & Marshall College tobacco leather pictured.
An excellent early collectible for collectors of Franklin & Marshall College/F&M memorabilia, Pennsylvania college history, antique tobacco premiums, vintage college leathers and early collegiate memorabilia.
