This clue referred to the "grasshopper", who is hopping about from May but seems to come alive in June, and entertain us with their rhythmic sounds. Of course, the why is for romance, for the lads woo the lasses by rubbing their legs up and down along their own wings, and this creates the effect of a lover`s serenade. Or so it sounds, but in actuality the rub produces but a single note, which is repeated quickly afterwards to make the chain of notes and produce the song.
I love to lie in the grass miles from anywhere and listen to them, it is such a summer noise. They do visit gardens too, and may do so more in the future if we all adopt "No Mow May" and vow to leave our lawnmowers locked in the shed so that the wildlife may prosper.
Anyway once their song has had the desired effect the females lay their eggs in the soil, where they remain until winter has passed above them, then they hatch out and move the the closest plant they can find. They are very fond of clover but will eat anything, even peeling paintwork. On a plant it is said that you can see little holes to start with and then once they are nourished enough they move out to the edge of the leaves, making round patterns, but by that time you only have to lie on the floor beneath the leaf and look up and you will see a tiny perfect grasshopper there, chewing away. And as to why you lie on the floor, well if you turn the leaf by hand you may damage them or even kill them.
Our original reference book RB.4, to the issues of Gallaher Ltd, published in 1944, tells us there are two versions of the set, of which ours is the second. These are not given a reference code, just described as :
1928. 25. AESOP`S FABLES (titled series). Size 2 5/8” x 1 7/16”. Numbered 1-25 (this set is captioned on the backs “series of 50”). Fronts printed in three colours from half-tone screen blocks, blue marginal lines and white border. Subjects untitled. Backs printed in brown, with descriptions and “Issued by Gallaher Ltd.” Printed by Tillotsons Ltd. Bolton.
1928. 25. AESOP`S FABLES (titled series). Similar to the above, but captioned “series of 25”. The brown ink used on the backs, in general, is not quite so dark as the so-called “fifty set”. Printed by Tillotsons Ltd. Bolton.
This is a bit confusing but yes, the version marked “series of 50” was indeed only a set of 25 cards. It must have been recalled and reprinted, and as both sets were issued within the same year it looks like the error was only noticed after they were issued, and the set was almost immediately replaced. Though there is not a lot of difference value wise, which suggests that the error set was not removed and pulped, for if so it would have been more expensive.
Oddly our original World Tobacco Issues Index does not mention the two sets and simply says : "AESOP`S FABLES. Sm. 67 x 36. Nd. (25). See Ha.518."
However our updated version carries both sets, as :
AESOP`S FABLES. Sm. 67 x 36. Nd. (25). See H.518.
A. Inscribed “Series of 25” B. Inscribed “Series of 50”. Nos. 1/25 only issued
Now this set was also issued by E. & W. Anstie of Devizes, which you can see and read about in our newsletter for the 6th of May 2023. Just drop down to Monday the 8th of May. That also tells us about a third issuer, W. H. & J. Woods, Ltd, of Preston, who issued the set in sepia. That will turn up on this website somewhere along the way. If you look at that Anstie card, the reverse is almost identical to ours, also being coloured fronts, and having the same framework and infill to the box at the top of the reverse – however their box is white, not coloured in, and rather basic in appearance. And also it turns out that the Anstie cards are smaller in size.