This set seems to be rather misunderstood, and a lot of collectors seem to firmly believe that the entire set is made up of a sailor waving flags.
In fact, just the first twenty six cards show the alphabet, followed by signals for commands such as "Ready" (to receive a message or an instruction), "Numeral" (before changing to a code or date), "Annul" (to countermand previous instructions), and then taking a deeper look into the pair of flags used for hand semaphore manoeuvres.
Cards 31 to 34 cover the mechanical semaphore, over four cards, showing it folded together, opened and starting its operation, actually signalling. and signing off after its message has been delivered.
Then cards 35 to 39 cover how morse code is delivered by flags, followed by an in depth look at those flags.
Flashing lanterns, which come in different types, are discussed on cards 41 to 43 ; there is a candle lamp which gives light only when pressed, and so could, again, be used for sending morse code; our lamp, which is a large oil lamp in case the electrics go out, and is able to send a message at 10 to 15 words per minute; and a small oil powered lantern, presumably hand held, which could be operated off the ship, in case of abandoning it to a raft or lifeboat.
Another extraordinary device closes off the set, and appears on cards 44 to 50 . This is the heliograph, which uses mirrors to make the morse code signals, flashing off the rays of the sun. The cards tell us that the flashes can be seen for seventy miles, under favourable weather conditions. Again it is shown being set up, aligned, and in operation, and there is a separate card, number 48, on the sighting vane and the duplex, or second mirror. This is used when the sun is shining away from the way you want to send the message, and what you do is align the sun with the signalling mirror, but send those to the duplex mirror, from which they are sent towards their target
This set was actually issued six times, but this Home issue was issued first of all, and so this becomes the home page for the entire group, which comprises :
| - web link | - scroll down to | |
| anonymous issue | ||
| Player, issued 1923 | ||
| Wills home issue, issued in England, 1911 |
https://csgb.co.uk/cardoftheday/2025-07-10 | |
| Wills "Capstan" brand, issued in Australia, 1913 |
https://csgb.co.uk/cardoftheday/2025-05-14 | |
| Wills "Havelock" brand, issued in Australia, 1913 |
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| Wills "Vice Regal" brand, issued in Australia, 1913 |
They are first described in our original reference book RB.11 – The Cigarette Card Issues of W.D. & H.O. Wills Part I (revised) and Part II, which was published in 1948, as :
- 97. 50 SIGNALLING SERIES. Fronts lithographed in colour; backs with descriptive text.
HOME ISSUE, 1911 :-
A. Backs in blue-grey
AUSTRALIAN ISSUES, 1913 :-
B. With "Capstan" advertisement
C. With "Havelock" advertisement
D. With "Vice Regal" advertisement
E. No brand advertised (anonymous issue)
Similar series issued by Player.
However in our original World Tobacco Issues Index this listing is no more, for the parts have been scattered.
First up is our home issue, listed in section 2.A, as
- SIGNALLING SERIES. Sm. Nd. (50). See W/97.A ... W62-102
As for the overseas issues, they are dealt with elsewhere on our site, see the links above.