The first lights at Blackpool took place in September 1879 but it was not as we know it today with strings of coloured bulbs - it could not have been, for the light bulb had yet to be patented. Instead it was simply eight large lamps, similar to searchlights, on the promenade.
The first actual light bulbs were hung up in May 1912, also on the Promenade, and they were set in motion by Princess Louise, who is showing here, the first member of the Royal Family to visit the resort, and after whom Princess Parade is named.
Now we asked you who was her husband, and what was his link to cartophily - and the answer is that he was The Marquis of Lorne, the one featured on one of the earliest cigarette cards yet discovered.
The event, and the lights, made the headlines, so much so that even before the glow had diminished it was decided that the lights would return in 1913. Again this was a great success and the extra moneys being spent by the visitors was also popular with the local business and hotels. However in 1914 the First World War saw the illuminations off the calendar, and they would not return for some considerable time.
This set was issued in America, over a few years, and reprinted several times, so there are differences in the lettering style, the size, and the colour and quality of the board, plus the shade of blue used for the reverse image. There are also varieties included, and these are a good way to date the cards for two of the titles were changed after the 22nd of January 1901 owing to the death of Queen Victoria and the succession of her son to the throne - "HRH The Prince of Wales" card becoming "His Majesty Edward VII" and "Princess of Wales" card becoming "Her Majesty Queen Alexandra". The third card affected is "The Right Sir G.H. Reid, P.C. Q.C.", who becomes "The Right Hon G.H. Reid, P.C. Q.C." - he seems to have been an Australian politician, so if anyone would like to add his details please email them in.
Jefferson Burdick calls the set "Celebrities" but says it is "mostly Royalty"., in a rather unexcited manner, perhaps why he valued the cards at just 20 cents each. By the way it is to him that we owe the final TW94 code, which is derived from our RB.18/94, reference book 18 being the Tobacco War booklet.