The easy clue here was the fact that these are Cannon "Balls", rather than Basket Balls. Or you may also have picked up on the word "Shot" because this is, simply, the action of throwing the ball towards the hoop. However there is a harder one, because there is a video game called "Cannonball Basketball". Do we have any players of that amongst our readers? I am not great at such things, because they all go too fast for me, even at the very basic level, and I get most confused. However I might have a go, via the link provided. Feel free to do that as well, if you like, on a rainy day.
Lots of confusion with this card too. Firstly, look at the back and you will see says "Series B", yet look in a catalogue and there is not a "Series A" of this title. Then the cards themselves, when you read about them, are described as being Past and Present, showing an example of an item from the past, paired with one from the present day. However this leads you to believe that the pictures are split, showing both old and new at once, and that is not the case.
The matter of the series lettering does becomes clear when you read the listing in our original World Tobacco Issues Index, which says :
PAST & PRESENT. Sm. 68 x 34. Nd. ... T18-21
1. Series "A" - The Army. (24). Back in blue
2. Series "B" - Weapons of War" Nd. 25/48. (24). Back in black.
3. Series "C" - Transport. Inscribed "Nos. 49-100". Nos. 55/58 only issued. See C.N.N. Vol. 11, page 60. Remainder of subjects reprinted and issued in anonymous printing, see Set ZA8-34.
However you have to acquire a set, or several cards, before the truth about the Past and Present reveals itself, for what actually happens is that cards one and two, and so forth, show first the old, on one card, and then the new, on another. For example, card one is a "Stone-throwing Machine" used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and card two "Naval Artillery". Our card, number thirty-nine, is a variety of cannon balls, and is accompanied by card forty, of a modern Artillery shell. Which I will add some time.
Now in our updated World Tobacco Issues Index there is more information, namely :
PAST & PRESENT. Sm. 68 x 34. Nd. ... T200-860
1. Series "A" - The Army. (24). Back in blue, (a) with (b) without framelines
2. Series "B" - Weapons of War" Nd. 25/48. (24). Back in black.
3. Series "C" - Transport. Inscribed "Nos. 49-100". Nos. 55/58 only regularly issued. Remainder of subjects do exist, but were also reprinted and issued in an anonymous printing, see H.645.
I do note that with this one listing there are two items here that are still missing from our gallery - "The Army" and the four cards of the Teofani printing of "Transport".