The Evzones have a long story, and started out in Ancient Greece. They were even mentioned in Homer`s "Iliad", and it is thought he was the first to name them Evzonos, which translates to being always ready for action. In those times they were a vital part of the fighting force, foot soldiers with light arms, able to wage war on outlying troops - but these days, those powers have been reduced, and they are just ceremonial, taking part in parades, providing escorts for visiting dignitaries, or guarding the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion..
Before we race on, we must point out that this distinctive, and, some may say, strange, or even un-military, costume is a recent alteration, dating only from the 1830s. Prior to that the men wore standard uniforms, trousers, coats and tall hats, the only difference being the colour of the embroidery on their jackets and the plume in their hat.
In keeping with our Movember Moustaches, you will see our man sports one, which is a badge of honour, and means he has completed over a hundred hours of guard duty. However he is not allowed a beard, and this is rigorously enforced, so much so that they have to shave four times a day, and against the grain too.
This set first appears in our original reference book to Churchman issues, RB.10 published in 1948, as part of a group. Since we have apparently not featured any of the variations before, and also because the large sized first series set was actually issued first of all, this will be the home page for the group.
So the group listing, from that reference book RB.10 is as follows :
- 144. (Dec. 1929) 25 WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS (titled series). Size 2 11/16" x 1 7/16", or 67 x 36 m/m. Numbered 1-25. Fronts printed by letterpress, 4-colour half-tone process. Backs in dark grey with descriptions. Printed by Mardon, Son & Hall. Also issued by B.A.T. (overseas)
- 145. (Nov. 1929) 12 WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS. Similar format to (144), but size 3 5/16" x 2 9/20" or 80 x 62 m/m
- 145. (May 1931) 12 WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS. Inscribed "2nd Series of 12". other detail as (145), but different subjects.
The mention of B.A.T. sends us off to RB.21, which is a fascinating little booklet, dealing with all the issues under the aegis of British American Tobacco, many of which were also issued in the U.K.by more familiar names. And again, we are not disappointed, for the listing for this set adds another two overseas versions. The entire entry reads :
- 210-144. WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS
A. Anonymous issue, with letterpress on back.
1. Crossed swords at base, and inscribed "A Series of 25 now being packed with these Cigarettes"
2. Gilt Panel at base, inscribed "High Class Cigarettes"
B. Churchman Home issues.
1. Small cards, series of 25
2. Large cards, series of 12
3. Large cards, 2nd Series of 12
The front index of this volume tells us that both the anonymous versions were issued much later, in 1937. It also says that the version with the crossed swords was issued in South Africa, and the version with the gold panel was issued in Malta.
By the time our original World Tobacco Issues Index was published, in 1956, this group were forever parted. The anonymous ones can be found at the back of the book, under "Anonymous Issues (1) with letterpress on back" and "with references to Tobacco", under section 1.C, for "issues 1919-40" and sub section D, for "Overseas Issues Through B.A.T.". The text for these reads :
- WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS. Sm. 68 x 36. Nd. (25.) See RB.21/210-144.A and X.21/210-144. ... ZA8-36
(a). Inscribed at base of back "A Series of 25 now being packed with these Cigarettes" with crossed swords below. Issued in S. Africa.
(b). Inscribed at base of back "High Grade Cigarettes" overprinted on gilt panel.
I have checked and RB.21 definitely quotes "High Class", whilst this entry says "High Grade". However what I should have done was to look at the entry under X.21/210-144, which reads "WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS. The Anonymous printing under A.2 in RB.21/210-144, with gilt panel at base, is inscribed "High GRADE Cigarettes" ( not "High CLASS").
Whilst the entry for our Churchman trio in our original World Tobacco Issues Index was much reduced, to
- WARRIORS OF ALL NATIONS. Nd. See RB.21/210-144.B. ... C82-86
A. Small (25)
B. Large - (1.) "A Series of 25" - (2), "2nd Series of 25"
And this is repeated in our updated version of the World Tobacco Issues Index, save reducing the words Small to "Sm" and large to "Lg." - and adding a new card code of C504-675. As far as the two anonymous versions, the text is again identical, save the removal of the X.21/210-144 code, which was in the handbook for the original World Tobacco Issues Index, and when the update was done all these little discoveries and changes were incorporated in the main body of the text. They also have a new card code though, namely ZA08-870 a and b.
Now you have probably noticed that two lots of twelve do not make twenty-five. As to the card which was added, I have no idea. For though I know all the cards in the first series, which we feature today, and which are ;
- The "Aussie" (card 7 of the small size set)
- The Dervish (card 14 of the small size set)
- The Soudanese (card 15 of the small size set)
- A Soldier of the French Foreign Legion (card 16 of the small size set)
- The “Poilu” (card 17 of the small size set)
- "Tommy Atkins" (card 2 of the small size set)
- The Evzone (card 19 of the small size set)
- The Ghoorka (card 8 of the small size set)
- The Pathan (card 9 of the small size set)
- A Warrior of Old Japan (card 21 of the small size set)
- The “Doughboy” (card 25 of the small size set)
- The Zulu (card 4 of the small size set)
The second series is much scarcer, and I have only been able to find a few online, which are ;
- An Askari of the K.A.R. (card 3 of the small size set)
- The Belgian (card 13 of the small size set)
- The Sikh (card 10 of the small size set)
- The Hungarian (card 12 of the small size set)
- The Turk (card 24 of the small size set)
- The Maori (card 11 of the small size set)
So if anyone can fill in any gaps, please do!