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 749273.4.29
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, ‘MALAY STATES.' The central coat of arms consists of a shield with nine gold sheaves of padi on a green background. Running horizontally across the top of the shield is as grey band containing the crown of Pahang on the left, the emblem of Perak in the middle, and a native dagger, or kris, on the right, all in gold.On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No29 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 used by the Federated Malay States represent nine sheaves "padi" or, and above these the crown of Pahang, the emblem of Perak, and a kris (native dagger). The Malay States are not really British colonies, but by treaty with this country, renewed in 1895, are administered under the advice of a British Resident-General. Rubber is the most noteworthy product.'