Cigarette card
Category
Ephemera
Date
Unknown
Materials
card
Measurements
35 mm (Width) x 0.5 mm (Depth); 68 mm (Length)
Order this imageCollection
Mr Straw's House, Nottinghamshire
NT 749273.4.19
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, 'PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.' The central coat of arms consists of a shield featuring an oak tree with three smaller saplings to the left of it on a green piece of land with a silver background. A red band runs horizontally across the top of the shield and features a gold lion facing left. A banner beneath the shield contains the motto 'PARVA SUB INGENTI.' On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No19 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 'These arms, assigned by Royal Warrant in 1905, shew the young saplings sprung from the old oak of the Mother Country. The lion of England also figures on the shield. The island was settled by the French, but captured by the British in 1745. They afterwards restored it, but again took possession during the Seven Years war.'