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 749273.4.7
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, ‘EAST INDIA COMPANY.' The central coat of arms consists of a grey shield quartered by a red cross. The top left quarter features a shield of its own, quartered red and blue and framed in gold with a crown as crest. A left facing lion holding a crown tops the shield and the shield itself is supported by a gold lion on either side, each holding a slender spear tipped flag pole flying the flag of St. George. A banner below reads 'AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE' with the AE joined at the end.On the rear of the card is decorative scrolling and the text at the top reads 'No7 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 ''Curious though it may seem, no arms are registered for India, though the star of the famous Order is frequently used as a badge. The arms shewn belonged to the Honourable East India Company, and of course were widely used during the reign of that Company.’