Brown's Mule Chewing Tobacco Metal Embossing Mold Plate

A vintage industrial metal embossing mold plate designed for the production of chewing tobacco. The plate is constructed from a heavy gray metal, likely a lead-based alloy or galvanized steel, featuring a repeating grid of 24 rectangular cells. Each individual cell contains a relief-embossed image of a mule facing left. Above the mule, the plate is embossed with the name BROWN'S and below the mule is the word MULE. As an industrial mold, the reverse side features the text and imagery in mirror image, including backward lettering for S'NWORB and ELUM. The plate was used in a production line to impress brand identification into tobacco plugs before they were sheared and packaged. The item is accompanied by a typed informational sheet titled Chewing Tobacco Molds, which details the historical use of such plates in the curing and pressing process.Width: 12 inchesHeight: 12 inches.