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 749273.4.3
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, ‘CAPE TOWN.' The central coat of arms consists of a gold shield featuring an anchor with a shield of its own that is red in colour and features three gold rings. A blue ribbon hangs down from the hole at the top of the anchor. Atop the shield is a grey turret with an anchor on top of it, crossed with something resembling a scepter. The shield is supported by a red lion on the right, and a woman on the left in a white and blue dress, with long hair, a shining star on her head, and an anchor in her hand. Both supporting figures stand on grey rocks, a banner beneath reads 'SPES BONA'.On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No3 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 three annulets, or rings, on the inner shield are from the arms of Van Riebeck, the founder of Cape Colony. In 1804 these arms, with the anchor, were granted by the Dutch Commissioner-General to the Burgher Council of the city. The Crest and the supporters were granted by the College of Arms in 1899, when the Dutch grant was formally recorded. Cape Town is the seat of Legislature of United S. Africa.'