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 749273.4.28
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, ‘NEW ZEALAND.' The central coat of arms consists of a dark blue shield with four red five pointed stars, each outlined in silver and featuring highlights. The four stars are evenly spaced and laid out like the pips on the side of a die that represents the number four. On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No28 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 'There are no authorised arms for New Zealand. The badge generally used represents the Southern Cross. New Zealand was discovered by Tasman in 1642 and visited in 1769 by Captain Cook. A settlement of Europeans was made in 1814. New Zealand was ceded to the British Crown in 1840 and separated from New South Wales in 1842. Created a Dominion in 1907.'