Books & Ephemera Collecting Cards with Price Guide by Jack Tempest The manufacturers created one of the popular in Germany where they were most popular collecting hobbies ever in the generally published in much larger sets. late nineteenth century when they included The big tobacco companies were wealthy attractive cards in their cigarette packets. enough to issue plenty of cigarette cards and These well-produced cigarette cards became this was a move that threatened the future of instantly popular with youngsters who many smaller companies. Theman’s, who searched the streets for any discarded packet once had several small tobacco shops in the which might still hold its picture card. Many Manchester area, was one firm who tackled were not averse to asking passing smokers in the competition by purchasing illustrated the streets, “Got any fag cards, mister?” printed silk cards of suitable size. These Children enjoyed the thrill of the chase, mainly featured early stars of silent-film days searching for items missing from their collec- in monochrome and coloured versions of tions, swapping cards with their pals, and personalities. These cards were miniature even using them in a variety of street games. versions of the silk-printed picture postcards After the Second World War the anti- produced by the same supplier. The cigarette- For one penny, albums like this would hold campaign was powerful enough to lead to the card backs were left blank so that the small the Park Drive 48-card sets securely and banning of the issue of cigarette cards in an merchant could rubber-stamp them with the without gumming. Gummed-in card sets are attempt to prevent youngsters picking up the company’s name and address ready for circu- less desirable. tobacco habit, and from the early 1980s lation in their own packets. cigarette cards ceased to be obtained as free The cigarette card started life as a simple gifts! This was not an end to the collecting protective packet-stiffener card when packets hobby by any means - enthusiasts of all ages were originally made from paper. It took the continued building their collections by paying Americans to realise the publicity potential of for their pleasure or swapping cards! printing the company name and address on As in all hobbies associated with bygone this card, sometimes adding an interesting times current values depend upon availability illustration. As people began saving these and condition. Mint and rare examples fetch cards it was realised that a series of numbered the best prices; additionally many surviving illustrations reproduced in sets would examples have values dependent upon rarity. encourage the continuance of sales. The main Cards cover many interesting subjects interest was in printed cards, monochrome or ranging from football to railway engines, film colour, but the British company of Ogden’s stars to gardening, and motor-cars to royalty. was the first to issue real photographic cards Some examples were photographically with their Guinea Gold brand of . produced, some hand-coloured, and there These became very popular with collectors, were also woven-silk and printed-silk and indeed still are today. examples. With improvements in printing Ogden’s, based in Liverpool, was taken-over This 1930s series of cigarette cards by processes black-and-white illustrations soon by an in the early Hignett’s featured monochrome photographs appeared in colour. 1900s, threatening the trade of other British of the then Prince of Wales touring the Top values are associated with early issues firms who banded together as the Imperial Empire. After the of his father, King that have survived the years in tip-top Tobacco Company and bought out the George V, he was never crowned king and condition and were published in short runs, American company. The First World War chose abdication instead. usually by tobacco companies that went out resulted in many patriotic themed cards of existence years ago. They are appealing appearing such as Victoria Cross Heroes, bygones, historically interesting, and very which included propaganda illustrations desirable when preserved in first-class picturing Germans as monsters, British army condition. Such examples sell for top prices scenes, Allied military leaders, and pictures when they appear in specialist auction sales. of our women-folk who had taken over More recent editions were printed in much transport and industrial jobs previously held larger quantities. These were commonly by their men-folk. collected and, naturally, tend to be of lower Cigarette cards, like early picture postcards, value. Some later editions, which were issued are collected as a side-hobby by many with gummed backs for sticking into special collectors. Railway enthusiasts who like to albums are of much less value. acquire items of railwayana can also find The things to look for are quality, condition, interesting information from the many cards cleanliness and full sets. Most cards are published on their subject across the years. numbered on their backs 1 to 50 in sets of 50. The same is true with motor-car enthusiasts, The backs are also usually printed with historians, ceramic collectors, film-buffs, and descriptive text regarding the illustration on many other subjects. Many subjects have the other side. Sets vary in size with 50 and been accurately recorded and have useful 25 being commonest. Collectors obviously educational value. Special albums for the safe Cigarette cards covered a wide series of tend to specialise in editions made in their storage of collectors’ cards in transparent subjects. Here we have examples of a series own country but some excellent examples pockets are available and advisable for card of international medals issued by Players. existed overseas. Cigarette cards proved very preservation. ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 06 Small tobacco firms were unable to afford to have picture cards specially printed. They were able to buy plain-backed examples less expensively and rubber-stamp their names on the back. The two illustrated are silk-printed illustrations used by Themans of Manchester around the end of the 19th century. The coloured example features Earl Kitchener and the black & white study was generally reserved for views and film stars of the silent- movie days. In the latter case we have a The invention of ‘talkies’made the sound films very popular through the 1930s. Many tobacco portrait of Mabel Normand who often companies issued Film Star cards. These are by Park Drive Cigarettes. appeared in Charlie Chaplin movies.

This series of military vehicles illustrations published by Wills, shows an amazing variety of trucks, buses, armoured vehicles, and tractors used by the Allied Forces in the 1914-18 War.

Many sets were thrown out by the printers in the 1980s when cigarette cards were banned by the Government. It was feared that collecting cigarette cards would attract youngsters to taking up smoking. Retrieved from the printers were these uncut ‘Kings & Queens of England’ Germany was noted for more its extensive sets which were intended to be issued with Black Cat cigarettes. sets than those issued in Britain. These beautifully printed and mounted sets appeared in pre-Nazi Germany and were published by Saba. ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 06 Postcard Price Guide - continued from previous page

Cigarette cards, part sets and Cigarette card sets, various. odds, many early, in two (22) A F Brock & Co Ltd, albums. (442) A F Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport. Nov 05. Taddy & Co cigarette cards Stockport. Nov 05. HP: £85. HP: £60. ABP: £70. Cigarette cards, part sets and ‘Clowns and Circus Artistes’, ABP: £99. Collection of cigarette cards. odds. (515 cards) plus two part set of 15 out of 20. Some Denhams, Warnham, West sets in albums, glued. AF damage to backs, and soiling Sussex. Jan 05. HP: £100. Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport. and grazing to margins) (2) ABP: £117. Nov 05. HP: £25. ABP: £29. Andrew Hartley, Ilkley. Sep 04. HP: £2,000. ABP: £2,352.

Cigarette cards - John Player Cigarette cards, Wills 1930 ‘Poultry’ 20/50: ‘Aviary & 'Railway Locomotives' 23/50 Cage Birds’ 42/50 cards and and 1938 ‘Railway 25/50 transfers: ‘Wild Birds’ Equipment’ 32/50. Sandwich Collection of cigarette and 47/50 cards and 10/50 Auction Rooms, Kent. Mar Zeppelins Zeppelin- trade cards mainly later transfers. Sandwich Auction 06. HP: £60. ABP: £70. Weltfahrten 1932 rare copy issues including Players, Collection of cigarette cards. Rooms, Kent. Feb 06. HP: of the Zeppelin ‘sticker book’ Wills, Churchmans and Ty- Gorringes, Bexhill. Jun 05. £75. ABP: £88. HP: £280. ABP: £329. album produced in Germany phoo Tea. Rosebery’s, before the rise of the Nazis. London. Dec 05. HP: £25. Card covers with photograph ABP: £29. of the Graf Zeppelin in flight to top cover, 265 cigarette card sized black and white illustrations with text, small crease to bottom right hand Large collection of cigarette corner of front cover, cards & old cigarette boxes, otherwise good condition. Players Navy Cut, Black Cat, Large collection of cigarette Mullock Madeley, Ludlow. quantity of albums, film cards. Gorringes, Bexhill. Oct 05. HP: £100. ABP: £117. Trade cards, various, inc. stars, international air liners, Oct 05. HP: £190. ABP: £223. Cigar box containing a sets, plus some cigarette and British Fresh Water Fishes, collection of cigarette cards cigar cards. (lot) A F Brock Royal Air Force etc. large (approx. 500) in old cigarette & Co Ltd, Stockport. Nov 05. complete pack of over sized boxes. Black Country HP: £65. ABP: £76. playing cards. Kent Auction Auctions, Dudley. Sep 05. Galleries, Folkestone. Jul 05. HP: £22. ABP: £25. HP: £35. ABP: £41.

Cigarette cards, part sets and Collection of various odds, comprising Godfrey cigarette cards. Denhams, Phillips, incl. part sets (13) Warnham, Sussex. Jul 05. Thirty five Ogdens Guinea (321), Carreras and others, HP: £95. ABP: £111. Gold cigarette cards, early in part sets (152), Ogdens, Two framed & glazed Wills 20thC, famous leaders & VC odds (35), Churchman’s, part cigarette cards, Roses, set of Cigarette cards, part sets and winners etc. Black Country sets and odds (388), 50, each framed approx 12 x odds, some in albums, incl. Auctions, Dudley. Sep 05. Carreras ‘Black Cat’, in part 18in. Kent Auction Galleries, small quantity of silks and a HP: £22. ABP: £25. sets (191) and Gallaher’s, Folkestone. Jul 05. HP: £60. few other items. (small lot) part sets and odds. (302) ABP: £70. A F Brock & Co Ltd, (1389 cards) A F Brock & Stockport. Nov 05. HP: £35. Co Ltd, Stockport. Nov 05. ABP: £41. HP: £180. ABP: £211. Cigarette cards, part sets, incl. Wills’s: ‘Musical Celebrities’ 1912 (48/50) and ‘Old Inns, 2nd Series’ (38/40), Ogden’s: ‘Captains of Clubs & Colours’ (42/44) Framed collection of Players and ‘Poultry’ (Ogdens on cigarette cards of Dickens Album of cigarette cards front) 1915 (22/25), some Characters framed & glazed, Collection of cigarette cards including Wills Roses 2nd Collection of cigarette cards cards with soiling. (10 part complete set of 50. Kent in four small albums. Series, Players Shakespeare and coronation memorabilia. sets/421 cards) A F Brock & Auction Galleries, Gorringes, Bexhill. Oct 05. Series, and odds. Rosebery’s, Gorringes, Bexhill. Oct 05. Co Ltd, Stockport. Nov 05. Folkestone. Jul 05. HP: £60. HP: £30. ABP: £35. London. Jan 06. HP: £20. HP: £140. ABP: £164. HP: £95. ABP: £111. ABP: £70. ABP: £23. ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 06