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 749273.4.24
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, 'CALCUTTA.' The central coat of arms consists of a gold shield with a red lion in the centre of the upper section, flanked by palm trees, and a sailing ship in a roughly diamond shaped section at the bottom of the shield. The shield is topped by a crown, out of which emerges a sea-lion (the head and front legs of a lion with a fish tail) holding a lotus flower. The shield is supported by two white birds, each of which has a gold crown at the base of its neck, and a small snake in its beak. They stand on decorative gold scrolling, off which hangs a banner with the motto 'PER ARDUA STABILIS ESTO.' On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No24 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 Calcutta were granted in 1896 an are chiefly remarkable for the two adjutant-birds which serve as supporters. The sea-lion issuing from an Eastern crown and holding a lotus flower is a singularly appropriate crest. The population of Calcutta, including its suburbs, is 1,106,738.'