This set is listed in our original Churchman reference book, published in 1948, as :
60. Sept 1911. 50. FLAGS AND FUNNELS OF LEADING STEAMSHIP LINES (titled series). Size 2 11/16" x 1 7/16" or 67 x 36 m/m. Numbered 1-50. Fronts, lithographed in colour. Backs in blue, with descriptions. Printed by Mardon, Son & Hall. Also issued by Davies and Ogden.
The "Davies" cited here is W.T. Davies & Sons, of Chester.
There is some confusion over the date of this Churchman version. In the London Cigarette Card catalogues, which date before our Churchman booklet, and several other early catalogues, it is listed as having been issued in February 1911. We are certain that the Ogdens version was issued in February 1906, but we already featured that as the Card of the Day for the 19th of December 2022 - however if we find more evidence that this version was not issued in February there is nothing to prevent us finding that card in the Churchman version and this one in the Ogdens and swopping them over.
Our original World Tobacco Issues Index lists the Churchman version without any date of issue, just as :
FLAGS AND FUNNELS OF LEADING STEAMSHIP LINES. Sm. Nd. (50). See H.67. ... C82-19
And the text is identical in our updated World Tobacco Issues index, except for a new code, of C504-260.
We do know, though it is not mentioned in any of these books, that there is an error noted on card 33 of this Churchman issue, that being that the flag is on two masts. Now that is something that only a seaman would know, so I have a sneaking suspicion that we can credit Aylmer Maurice Rundle for this discovery!