Our first glimpse of an actual squirrel comes here. And I have to say that it seems odd that the squirrel is included in a set which covers pets - especially as the text starts by saying "the squirrel in the picture is an attractive little chap - but as a rule they are not good pets." And it closes by telling of how "They are very active and can give you a painful bite". Then there is that odd bit in the middle "To keep them happy they need a cage as big as a car" - which does not seem to take into account the fact that cars vary in size dramatically. Why not just say as big as a house? And why include them in a pets set at all. Very odd.
So everyone thinks this set was issued by Doctor Teas, but that was but a brand, operated by Harden Bros & Lindsay. In fact in our original British Trade Index part two, and our updated British Trade index, if you look at Doctor it says "Doctor Ceylon Tea , 121 Cannon Street, London - see HARDEN Bros & Lindsay". Duly chastened, the entry under that in the original book reads ;
HARDEN Bros & Lindsay Ltd, London E.C.4
Doctor Ceylon Tea. Includes issues inscribed with this brand and the Cannon Street address without firm`s name. Special albums issued.
- NATIONAL PETS. Sm. 67 x 37. Nd. (50). See D.338 ... HAY-3
The D code sends us to the back of the book, and it technically stands for "duplicate", that being a set issued by more than one issuer.
In fact all of the sets issued by Harden Bros were also issued by someone else, namely
- "Animals of the World" by Brookfield Sweets of Dublin (in 1956), Candy Novelty Co. Ltd of Bury (in 1960), Dryfood Ltd of London (in 1954), and in an anonymous form - yet to be tracked down.
- "British Birds and their Eggs" by Gaycon Products Ltd of London and East Grinstead (in 1961), and Kane Products Ltd, also of London and East Grinstead (in 1960)
- and our "National Pets" also by Kane Products Ltd of London and East Grinstead (in 1958), though, oddly, the Kane version is under a new name "National Pets Club", and was issued in two parts, 1/25 and 26/50.
By the time of our updated version of the British Trade Index the text is slightly different, but, for some reason, no dates of issue have been added for any of the sets. Anyway the text reads :
HARDEN Bros & Lindsay Ltd, London E.C.4
Doctor Ceylon Tea. Some cards have the brand, and the address, but no firm`s name. . Special albums issued. 1959-61
- NATIONAL PETS. Sm. 67 x 37. Nd. (50). See HX-145 ... HAR-80