Our original R. & J. Hill reference book, RB.2, published in 1942, tells us that this set was issued in two sizes, and describes them as :
1925. VIEWS OF LONDON (titled series). Size2 3/4" x 1 1/2". Numbered 1-50. Fronts, printed in brown by photogravure, white borders, but no subject titles.
Backs printed in
A. Deep Slate
B. Olive Grey,
With descriptions and "Issued by The Spinet House, R. & J. Hill, Ltd., and Hy. Archer & Co. . ."(See Henry Archer & Co.). Printed by Ripley & Co., London1925. VIEWS OF LONDON (titled series). Size 3 7/16" x 2 3/4". Numbered 1-50. Same subjects as small series. Fronts, printed in brown by photogravure, white borders, but no subject titles.
Backs printed in
A. Deep Slate
B. Olive Grey,
With descriptions and "Issued by The Spinet House, R. & J. Hill, Ltd., and Hy. Archer & Co. . ."(See Henry Archer & Co.).
Now our World Tobacco Issues Indexes shorten this to :
VIEWS OF LONDON. Brown gravures. Nd. (50) See Ha.577. Size (a) small (b) large
and, strangely, there is no word of the differing back shades. Perhaps they were just too similar. To be honest I had an awful job getting anything off this back, so if anyone wants to try with theirs and gets a better result it is easy enough to change the picture. Saying that though, perhaps it is better to keep this as an example of the Olive Grey and seek for a subject with which to use the Deep Slate.....
However there is a very intriguing card code. And more about that - tomorrow