Card of the Day - 2023-06-02

ardath trooping the colour
Ardath [tobacco : UK] "Trooping the Colour" sectional (May 1939) 33/48 - A745-550 : A72-43

This was a bit of a teaser, but it is one of the sets that do not turn up that much. And I have to say I like these sectional sets. 

Of course why it is here is because this year will be the first Trooping of the Colours before a King for many years. The last was in 1952, for George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. So most of us have only had a Trooping of the Colours for a Queen.

And June also sees another similar event, for it will be The King`s Birthday. 

Ardath did have a reference book devoted to their works, (RB.6 - issued in 1943) but the sets were not numbered. However the description is quite amazing : 

MAY 1939. 48 TROOPING THE COLOUR (sectional picture) (titled series) Size 1 7/14" x 1 11/16" Numbered 1-48. Fronts printed in four colours from half tone blocks, untitled, no margin, grained. Backs printed in bronze blue, with descriptions, adhesive. Issued with State Express 10`s and 20`s. Folder 1d., issued. Also issued in New Zealand in June 1939, and abroad

Now there is one error above, for if you look at our card you will plainly see that there is a margin. However I imagine that the first few cards that were seen, and recorded, may have been from the middle of the framework and they would not have had any margins. 

Our World Tobacco Issues Indexes both have a way shorter description, only : "TROOPING THE COLOUR. Sm. Sectional series. Nd. (48) Special folder issued.