Card of the Day - 2023-09-18

Hignett Arms Armour
Hignett Bros. & Co. [tobacco : UK] "Arms & Armour" (December 1924) 2/50 - H536-200 : H44-31 : H.273

Our third clue for this week showed this Roman Legionnaire. And he will also form the main page for this intriguing set which was issued by several other companies, both within the United Kingdom and abroad.

Returning to Roman Britain, temporarily, did you know that despite Londinium getting all the press, the actual centre of their operations in this country was in Derbyshire, with many townships and transport links being set up, including a huge road system which traced along the highest point of the County, leading all the way from Buxton to Derby. 

There never was a special reference booklet on Hignett issues, so the only description of their set is from the World Tobacco Issues Index, and it is rather short, being just :

ARMS & ARMOUR. Sm. Nd. (50). See H.273

However there is a tantalising clue at the end, because this handbook reference reads : 

H.273 ARMS & ARMOUR (titled series). Fronts in colour. Numbered series of 50.

Pre 1919
       Mitchell [July 1916]
       Player - Blue back with I.T.C. Clause [April 1909 - shown as part of the newsletter, on Thursday 22nd of August

Post 1920
        Hignett [showing here] 

Overseas 
       
Player - Grey back, no I.T.C. Clause [April 1926]
       Wills - 
          I - Australia 
                   A. "Capstan" back  (a) "... for pipe smokers....
                                                     (b) "...also obtainable ......" [in plug form] 
                   B. "Havelock" back
                   C. "Vice Regal" back
                   D.  Anonymous back (B.A.T.) 
        II - General Overseas Issues
                   E. "United Service" back 

We will eventually feature all of these versions, and give them the bold links, leading to the pages on which they appear.