Cigarette card
Category
Ephemera
Date
Unknown
Materials
Card, Ink
Measurements
35 mm (Width) x 0.5 mm (Depth); 68 mm (Length)
Order this imageCollection
Mr Straw's House, Nottinghamshire
NT 749273.4.1
Summary
One of a set of 50 of Will's Cigarette cards 'Arms of the British Empire'. The first of three partail sets of cigarette cards kept in a wooden box with two compartments, a metal hinged lid painted red with a yellow / orange flower and card suit design. On the front of the card, at the top, is the title 'ARMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.' To the left of the central coat of arms image it reads 'WILLS's, and then to the right 'CIGARETTES.' Beneath the image is the location the arms originate from, ‘Hudson Bay Company.' The central coat of arms consists of a grey shield with a red Cross of St George separating it into four sections. Each section has a beaver in it. The shield is supported by two bucks, one on either side, and above it there's a squirrel. The bucks are stood on decorative gold scrolling, off which hangs a banner which reads 'PRO PELLE CUTEM'.On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No1 ARMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, 'WILLS'S CIGARETTES. The text at the base reads 'W.D. & H.O. WILLS.' BRISTOL & LONDON. ISSUED BY THE IMPERIAL TOBACCO Co. (OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND)Ltd' Down either side of the card there is text running vertically which in its entirety reads 'ALBUMS FOR THESE PICTURE CARDS CAN BE OBTAINED AT 1/- EACH FROM ALL TOBACCONISTS.' In the centre of the rear of the card the decoration creates a box for information specific to the location portrayed on the card. In this instance it reads 'The arms of the Hudson bay Company show the Cross of St George between four beavers. The crest is a squirrel, and the supporters are two bucks; all the animals referring to the chief trade in furs and skins which the Company still carries on.'