So here is another huge sporting event that takes place in June, Wimbledon. I had a bit of a time finding this match though, which is stated to be Mrs Helen Wills-Moody and Miss Cross (U.S.A.) against Miss Harvey & Mrs McIlquham
I have found that in the 1929 Ladies Doubles that Miss Ermyntrude Hilda Harvey & Mrs C.G. McIlquham beat Miss Bouman & Mlle. Couquerque in the quarter finals, and progressed to the semis where they were beaten by Mrs Michell & Mrs Watson. However Helen Wills only became Helen Wills-Moody after her marriage in December 1929, and in 1930 she partnered Elizabeth Ryan, not Miss Cross. And she did not compete in 1931.
However I was going the wrong way, for this is turns out to be the third round from 1929 , in which Miss E.H. Harvey & Mrs C.G. McIlquham actually beat Miss Cross and the pre-married, still Miss Wills. So was this card an old photo, renamed to make it current? Hmm.
Anyway, yes, here is the missing link, the companion to the set of fifty "Homeland Events" (issued earlier, in August 1927), which we have already featured on our website, that being an Export issue, sent off to New Zealand, Malaya and Malta.
Our card`s first appearance in a reference book was in our Wills part work number four, issued in 1950 – where it is linked with the set of 50, and the duo are described as :
HOMELAND EVENTS. Fronts Photoprints in black and white. Backs in black, with descriptive text. Two different series.
232. 54 Series of 54. Size 63 x 35 m/m. Wills` name and I.T.C. Clause at base of back. Home issue, 1932.
233. 50. Series of 50. Size 66 x 36 m/m. Issued between 1925-30. Similar series issued by Lambert & Butler.
A) Wills` name at base of back, no I.T.C. Clause. Issued in New Zealand
B) Anonymous backs. General Overseas Issue
I had a look at the Lambert and Butler reference book and it has their version listed under L/53, as : "53. 50 HOMELAND EVENTS. Size 2 12/32” (I think that is what it says?) x 1 3/8” or 66 x 35 m/m. Fronts : uncoloured photo prints. Backs in black with descriptions. Export issue." If anyone has this card from this set do let us know if there are any changes to the text. Many thanks.
Our World Tobacco Issues Indexes both list this fifty-four card version as simply : HOMELAND EVENTS. Sm. 63 x 35. Black and white photos. Nd. (54)