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 749273.4.4
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, ‘RHODESIA.' The central coat of arms consists of a red shield with a wavy grey band splitting it horizontally. On the band are three gold ships and in the red section at the top of the shield there are two left facing white bulls,while in the bottom red section there is a left facing grey elephant. On top of the shield there is a left facing gold lion with its paw on something resembling a tusk or thorn. The shield is supported by a springbok on either side, beneath it a banner reads 'JUSTICE COMMERCE FREEDOM.'On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No4 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 'These arms are those of the British South Africa Company, who administer Rhodesia under Royal Charter. The supporters are springboks, and the crest - the lion of England- is supporting an elephant's tusk. The gold lions and wheat ears refer to the industries of the country, whilst the bulls are reminders of the trek-oxen still in use. The ships are from the arms of the Duke of Abercorn.'