This set is another curiosity, as it was originally issued as a set of 28 cards.
Our original Wills booklet part four tells us that card number 3 of the set was not issued, and that in fact the whole set was reprinted as a series of 27 cards, moving card 28 Wales into the empty number 3.
However, in booklet part five the truth is revealed.
What happened was that the set was issued in July 1915, and card 3 showed Bulgaria, but that card was withdrawn when Bulgaria joined the First World War in October 1915.
The quickest and easiest solution was to just reprint Wales, which was number 28, and make it number 3 – though it did rather ruin the alphabetical order of the set.
Our card, England, is very patriotic with that flag covered dress, but it is also unusual because it shows ballet whereas most of the other cards show a National dance.
This set was also issued by Westminster, in a medium size, and it is just the twenty seven cards. The reference code on that is W430-030. However the backs of those cards are very important, as they provide us with our title, the back saying: “Series / “Dancing Girls” / This Coloured Picture / is one of a Series / of 27 / now being packed / with these / Cigarettes. / Westminster / Tobacco Co. Ltd. / London