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 749273.4.22
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, 'NORTH BORNEO.' The central coat of arms consists of a shield with a boat with oars and sails on a blue background, and across the top a horizontal gold band featuring a red lion facing left. Two arms extend above the shield, one native and one clad in blue with a white glove, grasping a flag pole which flies the same red lion on gold background, as is on the shield. The shield itself is supported by two natives, the one on the left holding a shield, and the one on the right, a scimitar. Each is wearing a headdress and simple items of white clothing. Beneath their feet is a curling decorative gold design, around which is wrapped a banner with the motto 'PERGO ET PERAGO'On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No22 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 are really those granted to the British North Borneo Company, who administer the northern part of the island, about 31,000 square miles. The supporters are two natives of the country, the one holding a shield, the other a paddle. In the crest two arms - one British, the other a native's - support a flag charged with the British lion.'