Finally our third clue was to Trafalgar, the scene of Nelson`s greatest victory, after which Trafalgar Square was named.
Now this ship has nothing to do with Nelson save the name; she, and her sister HMS Nile (also named after a battle) were commissioned in 1890 and 1891. And they were the only Trafalgar Class ships.
HMS Trafalgar was begun, in Portsmouth Dockyard, in January 1886, and completed in September 1887. Both ships were delayed by difficulties with their armaments, and both served within the Mediterranean Fleet, HMS Trafalgar from 1890-1897 ; HMS Nile from 1891-1898. HMS Trafalgar had two brief brushes with fame - in 1902 she took part in the Spithead Review for King Edward VII`s Coronation - which seems to be why she has been celebrated here - and in 1907 she ran aground, stuck fast at Devil`s Point. She was freed and then served as a teaching and drill ship. In 1909 she was relocated within the Home Fleet in the Thames Estuary. HMS Nile eventually served as the Coast Guard Vessel for Devonport, near Plymouth. Both vessels were sold for scrap in 1912.
In our original reference book to the issues of R. & J. Hill (RB.2) published in 1942, this set is listed as :
1901-2. 25. BATTLESHIPS & CRESTS (untitled series). Size 2 7/8" x 1 7/16". Numbered 1/25. Fronts lithographed in full colour with white margins, subjects titled. Backs printed in bronze blue with brief descriptions. Inscribed, "Hill`s Imperial Cigarettes." The date of issue given in the Standard Catalogue is incorrect.
Now I have looked in the brown hardback "part 1 Catalogue of Comparative Values" of June 1950, only to see that this set is listed as "25 *Battleships & Crests (1901-2)". The asterisk before the name of the set, by the way, is how they showed a set was untitled. However I do not have the "Standard" Catalogue, so if you do can you check and see why we mention that the date therein was incorrect. And, just for interest, they retailed it at between 6/6 and 20/- a card, or £25 a set.
In our World Tobacco Issues Indexes this set is described as : "BATTLESHIPS & CRESTS (A). Sm. 67 x 36. Nd. (25).