I wonder how many cartophilists know that this company was not just one man called Franklyn Davey, but two people, Franklyn and Davey? The clue is in the comma in their name. However at one time in their story it was Franklyn, Morgan & Davey, and they were listed as "tobacco manufacturers". According to our "Directory of British Issuers" reference book, it was established in 1790, but it goes back further, right to 1779/80 when a John Davies, tobacconist, acquired a factory and house in Bristol. The following year John Davies seems to have gone, or he calls the business something else, for it is recorded as Franklyn & McVarthy (sometimes McCarthy). It did not become Franklyn Davey until 1859 so I am not sure what the date in our book actually refers to.
If there is anyone out there who has researched the company, do please get in touch and tell us more.
Their brands seem to have had rather interesting names, and included "Honey Dew", "Loadstone" [Cigarettes], "Nimble Dick" [Cigarettes], "Plover Pigtail", "Superfine Shagg" [Tobacco]
Our card is the final clue card, and the clue should have led you once more to jumper, for here we have a horse jumping a hedge. Hunting is very divisive, and whilst I hate the chasing and killing of poor Mr. Reynard the fox, it seems a bit sad to have lost a Christmas tradition, and not to see the scarlet coats and assembled horses outside the local inn. Also if you were well away from the closing chapter, it was a very good ride, all the better for not knowing where you were going. There was an attempt to lay artificial trails and have the same thrill of the chase without any foxes involved, but it was realised that the person who had laid the artificial trail could be liable for any injuries sustained to the riders, in a way a fox could never be.