Unusual 1910s Akron, Ohio souvenir -- rubber tire watch fob, Goodyear etc.

Description

This is an incredibly nice -- and unusual -- municipal souvenir for the city of Akron, Ohio, which used to be the rubber capital of the world.  This is a rubber tire watch fob with leather chain dating to circa 1910.  The overall piece is about 9" long; the chain is 6", the tire diameter about 3".  The tire probably was meant to hold a pocket watch.  I don't believe it will do that now because it has become a hard rubber fob, and its shape is a bit more oval now than round.  It still has the inner slit that would hold a watch.
Both sides of the tire have raised lettering.  One side says:  "The Rubber Center of the World.  Boost Akron.  The first auto tires in America were Diamond Tires made in Akron."  The second side says:  "Akron, O. USA.  Souvenir.  City of Opportunity.  Oakland Adv.  Akron."  Akron was promoting itself as the "City of Opportunity" in the early 20th century, up to around 1914.  It was home to a score of rubber companies:  Goodyear, Goodrich, Firestone, Seiberling, Mohawk, General . . .  the list goes on and on.  And the city was growing like a weed at the turn of the last century.
This is an extraordinary piece that I've had in my collection for 25 years.  The condition is exceptional.  The fact that the rubber became hard has actually kept the piece in better condition than if the rubber had remained softer.  There is some very light soiling; the leather chain is in VG condition.
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ITEM CONDITION: I try to call all defects, dents, folds, nips, nicks, chips, skips, stains, tears, scratches, rips, wrinkles, etc. Please e-mail me with questions before bidding.
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