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 749273.4.21
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, 'LEEWARD ISLANDS.' The central coat of arms consists of a blue shield with horizontal grey waved stripes. There are 6 smaller shields depicting different scenes within the larger one, two next to one another in the centre of the shield (1 on the left, 2 on the right), then one at the top left (3), top right(4), bottom right(5), and bottom left(6). Details of what they depict are included below.(1) An explorer on the deck of a ship holding a telescope, his clothing indicating a time around the Elizabethan era(2) Three figures in white robes, possibly one with a fan(3) A tree growing from pale yellow earth, with two bushes off to the left hand side(4) A sailing ship scene(5) Woman in white on a green background(6) Woman in white with some kind of yellow device, possibly a harp.A pineapple sat within a gold crown is shown above the shield. On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No21 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 'This coat of arms is somewhat intricate. In the Royal Warrant the six shields are said to be "each charged with a coloured representation of one of the respective devices used on the Public Seals of the Presidencies of the Leeward Islands." Note at the foot the virgin with lamps, in allusion to the Virgin Islands.'