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 749273.4.31
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, ‘ONTARIO.' The central coat of arms consists of a shield with three entwined gold maple leaves on a green background. A grey band across the top of the shield contains the red cross of St. George. The shield is supported by a moose on the left and a Canadian deer on the right. A bear is above the shield. A banner beneath it reads 'UT INCEPIT FIDELIS SIC PERMANET'On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No31 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 maple-leaf and Cross of St. George were assigned by Royal Warrant to this province in 1868, after the formation of the Dominion of Canada. The crest (a bear) and the supporters (a moose and a Canadian deer) were added in 1909. Toronto is the capital of the province, but Ottawa, the Federal capital, is also within its borders.'