This was a rather fiendish clue as the name of the set was nowhere on the card, it was purely derived from the artist`s signature, which, on our card at least, is inscribed beneath the coat of the seated man. And that is Phil MAY.
In our original reference book RB.10, devoted to the issues of the Churchman company, it is revealed that they also issued two versions, described as :
- 107. Feb.1912. 50. PHIL MAY SKETCHES. (untitled series). Size 2 11/16" x 1 7./16" or 67 x 36 m/m. Numbered 1-50. Fronts lithographed in colour with words "Churchman`s Gold Flake Cigarettes" at top in blue. Backs in blue, no descriptions. Printed by Mardon, Son & Hall. Also issued by Fry and Smith
- 108. 50. PHIL MAY SKETCHES. Identical to (107) but words "Churchman Cigarettes" at top of fronts.
This is why I have a question mark on the date of our title, for I am not sure whether the omission of the date in the reference book against the second set means it was issued at exactly the same time, just in a different brand, or that the date of issue was simply not recorded.
As far as the two other versions mentioned in the text, the F. & J. Smith one was actually issued almost four years before ours, in May 1908, and you can see that in the newsletter for the 29th of September 2023, just scroll down to Thursday, 5th October. As for the one by Fry`s Chocolates, which is a trade set, that was issued first of all, in 1905, and you will find that in our newsletter for the 4th of April, 2026, by scrolling down to Tuesday the 7th of April. .
By the time of our original World Tobacco Issues Index, the Churchman sets were recorded as ;
- PHIL MAY SKETCHES (A). Sm. Nd. (50). See H.72 ... C82-25
A. Front inscribed "Churchman`s Gold Flake Cigarettes"
B. Front inscribed "Churchman`s Cigarettes"
This is only very slightly different in our updated World Tobacco Issues Index, and now reads :
- PHIL MAY SKETCHES (A). Sm. Nd. (50). See H.72. Front inscribed ... C504-330
A. "Churchman`s Gold Flake Cigarettes"
B. "Churchman`s Cigarettes"
All the cards are the same in all the versions, namely :
- Sol Jacobs
- A real grievance
- Now, Boy, where does Port wine come from ?
- Ardent Politician (evidently playing his trump card)
- Drunken Tramp
- Thought Reading
- Weary Willie (seating himself beside nervous Miss Jones)
- Moses (generously)
- Affable Country Doctor (to former patient)
- I want you to take me to St. John`s Wood, Cabbie
- Shure, if I was as big as ye'self…
- Sarcastic
- Do you want an errand boy ?
- Bailiff (who has been very well treated and settled with)
- Stout Party
- Josser
- Overheard near the Zoo
- Farmer Brown
- What sort of bait are yer usin` Billie
- Jones to new servant
- Sy, Bill, wots `is pedigree?
- Little Girl
- Excuse me, but is your name Pole Carew ?
- Say, Brown
- Minister
- Spare a copper, Sir
- English as she is spik
- Jocular Briton
- Does your poetry pay ?
- Fat Capitalist
- Why don't we have open air cafes ?
- Scene; Outside Popular Theatre
- Hullo, old chap
- Benevolent Lady
- Mr. and Mrs. Binks
- My Father 'e once caught a fish
- Thirsty Pedestrian
- Conversation Overheard by sympathetic old Lady
- I must congratulate you
- Visiting Day on a Gunboat
- The Vicar
- Obliging
- Did you go to Smith's Buryin ?
- A fact
- Bill Snooks
- Brown
- How did your Billie get runned over ?
- Overheard on a Cab Rank
- Youngster
- Overheard in Sydney