Let us start with an apology, for the card I show here as the back and front is indeed different to the front alone which I started by showing you. This is proof that you should research first and scan later. Anyway that card will not go to waste, and it will appear in the future.
Our new man is Surgeon Colonel Anthonisz, M.B.
I started tracking him down and found his full name was Vincent Henry Ludovici Anthonisz OBE, ED, born in March 1894, in Ceylon, went to medical school there too, and joined the Ceylon Medical Service straight after, though he also furthered his studies in Scotland, where it seems his family had originated. Then he served in the Ceylon Medical Corps from 1939 to 1946, being awarded the OBE in 1944. Eventually he would take full control of Colombo General Hospital, and also become surgeon to the Governor of Ceylon. Then I realised that when our set was issued in 1900, Vincent Henry would have only been six, and would have been unlikely to have such a fine moustache already.
I did find out that the original family tree goes way back to Dutchman Jan Anthonisz Maartensz Ensign, who may have been born in Holland but died in India, some time in the seventeenth century.
Anyway, after some diligent hunting, I can tell you that this is Alfred Henry Anthonisz, and he was born in Colombo, Ceylon, on the 22nd of December 1844. He also joined the Ceylon Medical Service, after leaving college. He then joined the Royal Navy in 1871 but soon either moved of his own accord or was requested by the Army, for whom he was a Staff Assistant Surgeon. His first posting was to Bombay, where he got married. We know that he was promoted to a full Surgeon in 1873, the year that his first son was born, He would also become a surgeon, but when he was twenty-eight years old he was fatally struck by lightning. There were also two daughters, Ethel (or Eshel) Maud, who died when she was very young, and Winifred, who was also called Maud as a second name in remembrance of her sibling - she went to India as the bride of a doctor in the Indian Medical Service. Lastly, there was Edward, who also became a surgeon, for the Army, in Egypt.
In 1882 our man was sent to Egypt, as a surgeon. This was during the Egyptian Campaign. He was not there very long, and then was promoted to a Surgeon Major and relocated to Barbados. Somehow he managed to get over to China in 1885 and then returned to Barbados, from where he was sent to Bengal. Within six months he was stationed in England, at a station hospital in Aldershot. He rapidly climbed the ranks making Brigade Surgeon in 1895. He then returns to Bengal, as Surgeon Colonel, and quickly becomes the Principal Medical Officer. This is almost certainly how he came to be sent to Durban aboard the "Braemar Castle" for the Boer War. This picture was taken at that time, and appeared in the "Times" newspaper of October the 5th, 1897. The badges on his collar are for the R.A.M.C. , or Royal Army Medical Corps. Curiously his job was to take charge of the hospital in Wynberg which we featured in our newsletter of the 30th of April, 2022 - just scroll down to Friday, 6th May. Whilst there he was involved in a strange shaurie, when the hospital was inspected and he was accused of mismanagement. The accuser was later found to have no experience of hospital work, let alone management, and so he was cleared, but shortly after he left South Africa and did not return. Instead he went to Bombay, where he was appointed Principal Medical Officer once more, until he retired in 1905. He died in India in 1919, of bronchitis.
I can tell you a bit about the photographer, too, Russell, & Son who started his photographic business in 1852 in London, and expanded out to Crystal Palace, Windsor, and Southsea. Windsor is the big clue, because he specialised in photographing members of the British and European royal families. But in 1908, he was no more. I have not found out why yet.
Anyway, to the card, all was going so well when I started off my research, with our original reference book RB.5 - which is devoted to the issues of three companies, Abdulla & Co., Ltd of London, Adkin & Sons of London, and E. & W. Anstie of Devizes. This reference book is an early one, and the sets are not given card codes, they are just listed in alphabetical order. The text for this set reveals my problem almost straight away, for there are two sets by the same name, and only the second (which my original card was not from) was issued in April.
The listing reads :
- 1900. 50. SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. (titled series). Size 2 3/8" x 1 7/16". Numbered 1-50. Fronts, printed in black only from half-tone blocks - black and white - with narrow black frame line and white border; with title in white panel at bottom. Backs, "Soldiers - of the Queen - number. - This series of - 50 portraits - is reproduced from - Copyright - photographs - and issued with - Adkin & Sons` - Cigarettes - Device - Adkin & Sons - London. Panel with copyright.
- General Fitzroy Hart, C.B.
- Sir F. Carrington, K.C.B., etc
- Gen, Sir Chas, Warren
- Gen French
- Col. Howard
- Lt.-Col. R.S.S. Baden Powell
- Cecil Rhodes
- Sir Alfred Milner, K.C.B.
- Dr. Jameson
- Col. Plumer
- Col. Alderson
- Lt.-Col. R.C. Kekewich (two portraits)
- Gen. Sir Redvers H. Buller, G.C.B., etc
- Lt. Gen. Lord Methuen, K.C.V.O.
- Ma. Gen. H.J. Lyttelton, C.B.
- Maj. Gen. Sir H.E. Colville
- Col. Spreckley
- Surg. Col. Anthonisz, M.B.
- Maj. Gen. Sir W.F. Gatacre
- Sir Geo. White, V.C., G.C.B.
- Gen. Sir Forestier Walker, K.C.B., etc
- Hon. Sir W.F. Hely-Hutchinson, G.C.M.G,
- Col. F.W.D.Ward, C.B.
- Gen Rawlinson
- Col, Norcott
- Col. F.W.B. Landon, A.S.C.
- Col. Wynne
- Lt.-Col. J.F. Burn Murdock
- Gen. Yule (two portraits)
- Col. Fisher
- The Late Lt.-Col. R.H. Gunning (two portraits)
- Gen. Sir Archibald Hunter, K.C.B.
- Col. Brocklehurst
- Capt. Kennedy, R.E.
- Col. R.B. Mainwaring, C.M.S.
- Col. B. Gough
- Major Hammersley
- Maj. Gen A.G. Wauchope, C.B.
- Col. F. Carleton
- Lt.-Col. W.H. Dick Cunningham, V.C.
- Col. J. Hinde
- Major E.S. May, R.H.A.
- Col. Coode
- Col. Scott Chisholme
- Lt. Gen. Sir C.F. Clery
- Lt.-Col. G.W. Mills
- Maj. Gen. Sir W.P. Symonds, K.C.B.
- Col. F. Rhodes
- Capt R. Nesbitt, V.C.
- Maj. Gen. Sir C. Hiller Smith
1900. 61. SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. (titled series, inscribed "Set of 60"). Size 2 11/16" x 1 5/16". Numbered 1-61. Fronts, printed in black only from half-tone blocks - black and white - with narrow black frame line and white border; with title in white panel at bottom. Backs, "Soldiers - of the Queen - number. - This series of - 60 portraits - is reproduced from - Copyright - photographs - and issued with - Adkin & Sons` - Cigarettes - Device - Adkin & Sons - London. Panel with photograph. Copyright.
The first 50 numbers the same as for series of 50. Numbers 51-61 are as follows :-
- The Earl of Albemarle
- Col. Martin
- Col. Lord Chesham
- Sir Wm. McCormac
- Lord Kitchener of Khartoum
- Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald (two portraits)
- Lord Roberts
- Col. Pilcher
- Lt.-Col. A.D. Neeld, Housld. Cav.
- Maj. Gen. Kelly-Kenny
- Lord Dundonald
The following variations have been noted :
4. Col. French and General French. Same portrait
9. General Hutton and Dr, Jameson
12. Lieut.-Col. R.C. Kekewich; two printings Col. Kekewich
14. Lt. Gen. Lord Methuen, K.C.V.O., two printings
18. Capt. Percy Scott and Surg. Col. Anthonisz, M.B.
20. Sir Geo. White, V.C. and with G.C.B. added
26. Col. F.W.B. Landon, A.S.C.and Capt. H. Lambton.
29. General Yule, two printings
31. The Late Lt.-Col. R.H. Gunning, two printings
47. General Barton and Maj. Gen. Sir W.P. Symonds, K.C.B.
48. Col. F. Rhodes and General Smith Dorrien
56. Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald, two printings.
So I tried to find my card, number 33, with a "60" back, and could not. The reason why appears in the original London Cigarette Card Company handbook for 1950, which I have changed to bold text. Ouch. Of all the ones I could have picked. But I do wonder if it was too glaring an inclusion as it was obviously a drawing and not a photo. And this equally applies to the other man who was excluded, Lt.-Col. J.F. Burn Murdock.
Anyway, the entire text in that handbook reads :
- H.10 SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. (titled series). Fronts in black and white. Issued by Adkin. Numbered. There are two series :
A) Inscribed "Series of 50" :-
(a) Nos. 1/25, back "...and issued exclusively with"
(b) Nos. 1/50, two subjects for No.3. Back inscribed "...and issued with".
B. Series of 61, inscribed "Series of 60". Series consists of Nos. 1/61, excluding Nos.28 and 33, (not seen and believed not issued), with two subjects for Nos. 9, 18, 26. 31, 47, and 48 : there are minor varieties for Nos.1, 4, 12, 20, 29, 35, 36, 53, and 55-57.
The portraits at Nos. 28, 32, 33, 38, 40, 44, 45, 47, and 49 do not bear a photographer`s copyright panel on back; these portraits are artist`s impressions and not photographic reproductions. The subjects at Nos. 1-50 are the same in both issues; in the listing of varieties below the numbering in both A. and B. is given :-
A. 1 B.1.a Genl. Fitzroy Hart, C.B. (leafy background)
B.1.b Genl. Fitzroy Hart, C.B. (solid background)
A. 3.a Mr. Conyngham Greene
A. 3.b B.3 Sir F. Carrington, K.C.B. &c.
A. 4 B.4.a Col. French
B.4.b Gen. French
A. 9 B.9.a Dr. Jameson
B.9.b General Hutton
A.12 B.12.a Lieut.Col. R.C. Kekewich
B.12.b Col. Kekewich
A.18 B.18.a Surg.Col. Anthonisz, M.B.
B.18.b Capt. Percy Scott
A.20 B.20.a Sir George White, V.C. G.C.B
B.20.b Sir George White, V.C.
A.26 B.26.a Col. F.W.B. Landon, A.S.C.
B.26.b Capt. H. Lambton.
A.29. B.29.a General Yule (head 5 mm from frameline)
B.29.b General Yule (head 14 mm from frameline)
A.31. B.31.a The Late Lt.-Col. R.H. Gunning
B.31.b General Rundle
A.35 B.35.a Col. R.B. Mainwaring, C.M.S.(head 11 mm from frameline)
B.35.b Col. R.B. Mainwaring, C.M.S.(head 13 mm from frameline)
A.36 B.36.a Col. B. Gough (head 9 mm from frameline)
B.36.b Col. B. Gough (head 8 mm from frameline)
A.47. B.47.a Maj. Gen. Sir W.P. Symonds, K.C.B
B.47.b General Barton
A.48. B.48.a Col. F. Rhodes
B.48.b General Smith Dorrien
B.53.a Col. Lord Chesham (head 8 mm from frameline)
B.53.b Col. Lord Chesham (head 9 mm from frameline)
B.55.a Lord Kitchener of Khartoum ("of" in small letters)
B.55.b Lord Kitchener of Khartoum ("of" in larger letters)
B.56.a Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald (letters 1 1/2 mm high)
B.56.b Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald (letters 2 mm high)
B.57.a Lord Roberts (letters 2 mm high)
B.56.b Lord Roberts (letters 2 1/2 mm high)
Note : Several of the portraits recur in the unnumbered series "Soldiers of the Queen and Portraits" : some are the same as the equivalent cards in the Wills and Lambert & Butler series "Royalty, Notabilities and events in Russia, China, Japan and South Africa, 1900-1902"
Here is the alternative for our card,Captain Percy Scott. His huge claim to fame may be gathered by the fact that he is regarded as the father of modern gunnery. It was his guns that proved so devastating in the Boer War, and he was also one of the first in the modern age to suggest the idea of subterfuge at sea, making one vessel look like another, or even making the silhouette of a smaller craft appear to be a warship. Unfortunately his ideas often fell on closed ears, as he was forthright and not afraid to share his ideas, many of which were simply too modern for the "old boys" in command.
Sadly his eldest son died at Jutland in 1916 on board the armoured cruiser "Defence". Our man never really recovered from that, and he died of a heart attack at his home in London in 1924 after which his ashes were surrendered to the sea off Spithead.
Returning to our set, because I bought both the catalogue and handbook down, you might like to read that in 1950 they appeared in the catalogue as :
- 10. Soldiers of the Queen (1899-1900) - H.10
A. Series of 50 - odds from - to sets
(a) Nos. 1-25 "...and issued exclusively with..." 12/6 to 30/- -
(b) Nos. 1-50 and variety "...issued with..." 7/6 to 20/- -
B. Series of 60, 59 numbers and varieties 4/- to 12/- -
Much of the information from that handbook is re-used in our original World Tobacco Issues Index, published in 1956, but not the list of comparative subjects. However it does link back to it, using the H.10 reference. The text here reads :
- SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. Sm. 68 x 36. Black and White. See H.10. ... A12-8
A. Inscribed "Series of 50" :-
(a) Nos. 1/25, back "...and issued exclusively with"
(b) Nos. 1/50, two subjects for No.3, back "...and issued with".
B. Inscribed "Series of 60". Nos. 1/61, excluding Nos.28 and 33, two printings each with many minor varieties.
(a) Back in dark green, numeral "60" with cross stroke of "6" joining vertical stroke.
(b) Back in lighter shade of green, numeral "60" with cross stroke of "6" not joining vertical stroke.Two subjects for Nos. 9, 18, 26. 31, 47, and 48.
In our updated World Tobacco Issues Index, published in the year 2000, the text reads :
- SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. Sm. 68 x 36. Black and White. See H.10. ... A165-550
A. Inscribed "Series of 50" :-
(a) Nos. 1/24, back "...and issued exclusively with"
(b) Nos. 1/50, two subjects for No.3, back "...and issued with".
B. Inscribed "Series of 60". Nos. 1/61, excluding Nos.28 and 33, two printings each with many minor varieties.
(a) Back in dark green, numeral "60" with cross stroke of "6" joining vertical stroke.
(b) Back in lighter shade of green, numeral "60" with cross stroke of "6" not joining vertical stroke.Two subjects for Nos. 9, 18, 26. 31, 47, and 48.
That updated volume also has a handbook, published in 2003. That text reads as follows, and I have highlighted the changes in bold type :
- H.10 SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. (titled series). Fronts in black and white. Issued by Adkin. Numbered. There are two series :
A) Inscribed "Series of 50" :-
(a) Nos. 1/24, including 3a. Back inscribed "...and issued exclusively with"
(b) Nos. 1/50, with two subjects for No.3. Back inscribed "...and issued with".
B. Series of 59, inscribed "Series of 60".
(a) Back in dark green, numeral "6" of "60" with cross stroke joining vertical stroke.
(b) Back in lighter shade of green with cross stroke of "6" not joining vertical.
Series consists of Nos. 1/61, excluding Nos.28 and 33, (not seen and believed not issued), with two subjects for Nos. 9, 18, 26. 31, 47, 48, and 61 : there are minor varieties for Nos.1, 3, 4, 12, 19, 20, 21, and 55-57, and many others have differences of perspective, length of caption, etc (not listed). The portraits at Nos. 28, 32, 33, 38, 40, 44, 45, 47, and 49 do not bear a photographer`s copyright panel on back; these portraits are artist`s impressions and not photographic reproductions. The subjects at Nos. 1-50 are the same in both issues; in the listing of varieties below the numbering in both A. and B. is given :-
A. 1 B.1.a Genl. Fitzroy Hart, C.B. (leafy background)
B.1.b Genl. Fitzroy Hart, C.B. (solid background)
A. 3.a Mr. Conyngham Greene
A. 3.b B.3.b General Sir Chas. Warren (wall background)
B.3.c General Sir Chas. Warren (solid background)
A. 4 B.4.a Col. French
B.4.b Gen. French
A. 9 B.9.a Dr. Jameson
B.9.b General Hutton
A.12 B.12.a Lieut.Col. R.C. Kekewich
B.12.b Col. Kekewich
A.18 B.18.a Surg.Col. Anthonisz, M.B.
B.18.b Capt. Percy Scott
A.19 B.19.a Major Genl. Sir W.F. Gatacre
B.19.b Major Gen. Sir W.F. Gatacre
A.20 B.20.a Sir George White, V.C. G.C.B
B.20.b Sir George White, V.C.
A.26 B.26.a Col. F.W.B. Landon, A.S.C.
B.26.b Capt. H. Lambton.
A.31. B.31.a The Late Lt.-Col. R.H. Gunning
B.31.b General Rundle
A.47. B.47.a Maj. Gen. Sir W.P. Symonds, K.C.B
B.47.b General Barton
A.48. B.48.a Col. F. Rhodes
B.48.b General Smith Dorrien
B.55.a Lord Kitchener of Khartoum ("of" in small letters)
B.55.b Lord Kitchener of Khartoum ("of" in larger letters)
B.56.a Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald (letters 1 1/2 mm high)
B.56.b Maj. Gen. Hector A. Macdonald (letters 2 mm high)
B.57.a Lord Roberts (letters 2 mm high)
B.56.b Lord Roberts (letters 2 1/2 mm high)
B.61.a Lord Dundonald
B.61.b Maj. Gen. Sir W.P. Symonds, K.C.B
- Note : Several of the portraits recur in the unnumbered series "Soldiers of the Queen and Portraits" : some are the same as the equivalent cards in the Wills and Lambert & Butler series "Royalty, Notabilities and events in Russia, China, Japan and South Africa, 1900-1902"