Cigarette Cards and other ephemera

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Above: D Harper & Co Ltd was a British manufacturer of fancy goods in the early 20th century, exhibiting at the British Industries Fairs of 1922, 1929, 1937 and 1947. The cards, which appear to be a copy of Goodall's Tom Thumb patience cards, are in a faux leather folder, with a press stud enclosure (marked "English Maker") in apparent cheeky parody of a Victorian family bible. The spine has the text "Let Us Play", quite radical for the period!  (Click image to zoom). Images courtesy Matt Probert.

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Above: in around 1935, Wix gave away free miniature playing cards in packets of Kensitas cigarettes. Smokers could also save coupons (known as certificates) from packets of Kensitas cigarettes and then exchange these for a full-size pack of cards. It would appear that two cards were issued in a packet of 10 cigarettes, and in packets of 20 five miniature cards with instructions for a magic trick. The miniature cards were produced with ornamental back designs in either red or blue. Image courtesy Matt Probert.

Above: miniature playing cards inset into collectable cigarette cards manufactured in Peru, c.1920  more →

Above: miniature playing cards for W.D. & H.O. Wills' Flag Cigarettes c.1930. Image courtesy Matt Probert.

Above: miniature playing cards inserted into consumer products as a sales incentive and for children to collect  more →

Above: Waddingtons playing cards on Bermuda postage stamps commemorating the World Bridge Championship, 1975.

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Children’s Card Games with Advertising

Sales incentives - from the collection of Rex Pitts

Whist Score cards

from the collection of Tony Hall

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Cigarette Paper Packets

from the Biblioteca Nacional de España online collection

Above: cigarette paper packets from the Biblioteca Nacional de España online collection►

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