Wow its Saturday, again!
So lets start by hoping you had a great week, and managed to find some cards, or some information about the ones you already had?
Remember that if you do pick up any good cards, and you would like to tell everyone about them, or you want to share information about sets we feature or you are researching, or even if you want to ask us for assistance, please do.
We had quite a bit of correspondence this week about the last newsletter. First of all, thanks to reader Andrew Walters, who also supplied the top two links which follow, we now know that the "Stars and Cars" set I featured as a Card of the Day, and that I credited to Monty Gum, is instead by Maple Leaf Gum, or Maple Leaf Chewing Gum, though it is also of the Netherlands.
We also learned that in fact Maple Leaf opened the earliest chewing gum factory in Holland, founded in 1948 in Amsterdam.
You can read a bit more at
http://www.moviecard.com/bat/anon-moviecar.html
https://imageevent.com/halpen/1966mapleleafholland
https://maple-leaf.nl/oud/kim.htm
I was also told that Maple Leaf issued another set of very interesting car related items, these being miniature number plates from across the World. I did not know of these when I mentioned number plates before but I will add the information in. These were also, even better, (though maybe not if you bit one by mistake), made out of metal, just like a number plate, but they were really tiny, just under three inches by one inch.
Looking under Maple Leaf in our reference books still draws a blank for our set of stars and cars, but this is another trail to chase.
And are there any Maple Leaf collectors and researchers who would like to join in?
By the way, you can see the original post at https://csgb.co.uk/cardoftheday/2023-05-12
So what have we for you this week?
Well lets start with a curious case of mistaken identity ..... or not
W. D. & H.O. Wills [tobacco : UK] “Famous Inventions” export issue (1926) 19/50 – W675-643 : W62-446 : W/60B
Lets start, aptly, with Saturday Night at the Movies. For this device, the Edison Kinetoscope, was given its first public display today in 1891.
This makes it sound like the machine was set up in the street for anyone to view but that was not the case - it was actually a demonstration, at Edison`s laboratory to invited members of the National Federation of Womens Clubs. And this picture also gets it a bit wrong, because it looks like the picture was shown on a giant screen, but the Kinetoscope was more like the machines you got at the end of the pier, in which one person bent and looked into a small aperture in a chest height machine, the sort of thing that would show "What the Butler Saw" kind of films, though it is very doubtful the ladies saw anything like that.
If we look back at the picture, it is much more like another Edison invention, the Kinetograph. That was a camera capable of showing actual motion films. And the plot thickens, because that device was teamed with Edison`s Kinetophone, a cylinder phonograph which provided a very rudimentary soundtrack to the action on the screen. This is very much what is described on the text of the card.
Now before you wonder how Wills got it wrong, actually they did not.
Because although Edison believed that the device would never be able to pay for itself, or reach more than a handful of viewers at a time, in later years the system was developed and upgraded. And at this time the camera and the phonograph was actually sold to prospective exhibitors under a different name, this being the Projecting Kinetoscope. That sounds rather unwieldy a name, and it is almost certain that exhibitors would have dropped the first part and just used the second, from whence Wills would have got their title.
In our original reference book to the issues of W.D. & H.O. Wills, part three, (or RB.14) issued in 1949, this set is described as being ;
60. 50 FAMOUS INVENTIONS. Fronts lithographed in colour; backs in grey with descriptive text.
HOME ISSUE. A. With I.T.C. Clause. Issued 1915
GENERAL OVERSEAS ISSUE. B. Without I.T.C. Clause. This series is thought to have originated in New Zealand about 1927. Series B was obviously prepared some years after series A. Although in both series the subject matter on fronts is identical, the text matter, and in some cases the subject titles, have been revised and amended in B. The numbering is entirely different in the two series.
When the five Wills booklets were reprinted in a single hardback volume, it was revealed that the Home issue dated from November 1915, and the Export from April 1926
However once again whilst it is easy to find the home issue in both our original and our updated World Tobacco Issues Index, you have to hunt a bit to find the export. In the original volume it is under section 5, “Other Export Issues”, and sub section 5.B, “English Language Issues 1923 – 30”.
Whilst in the update it is even further towards the end, as sub-section 6.B, though the header now says “English Language Issues 1923 – 30. Issued chiefly in New Zealand, some series in Malaya, Malta, and elsewhere.”
The description in both is simply : "FAMOUS INVENTIONS. Sm. Nd. (50) See W/60.B"
Topps [trade : gum : UK] “Return of the Jedi” stickers (1983) 1/66
Staying with the movies, here is a curious one for you, because for some reason today is "Talk like Yoda Day". As for how one does that, the answer is with much thought and wisely.
To read some of his most famous sayings check out
https://parade.com/943548/parade/yoda-quotes/
He may be small but he is immensely powerful and had trained Jedi Knights for eight hundred years. And he was not created by CGI, he was a puppet, manipulated by Frank Oz, who also supplied his voice, at least for the films.
He is also immensely popular on cards - the Trading Card Database/Yoda quoting 1,241 cards of him!
Yoda made his appearance in the second of the original Star Wars films, called "The Empire Strikes Back", released in 1980. That is why you will not find any cards of him dating from before that time.
This card is a sticker, and it comes from the third original film , "Return of the Jedi", dating from 1983. Now this is the rarer purple variety of this sticker, it also comes in yellow, and as the same number, 1, but with a descriptive back rather than a sectional picture.
And sometimes the purple is distinctly blue, which adds an even rarer hue to look for.
John Player `Tom Thumb` brand [tobacco : UK] “Britain`s Maritime History” (1989) 23/30 – P644-444
So now we sail away from the cinema, and see what we can see at sea. For today it is Maritime Day, a celebration of Seas and Sailors, and of the many coasts that wash upon our Island shores. And we have managed to find a set devoted to its story, which even has "Maritime" in the title.
This set was issued too late for our original World Tobacco Issues Index, so the only code comes from the updated version, published in the year 2000, under John Player section 3. Issues 1965 onwards, and sub section 3D, which contains “Doncella” Series.
The header to these issues tells us that the cards are Md. 74 x 57. And that special albums were issued. Sadly the description is a bit scant as well, namely : "BRITAIN`S MARITIME HISTORY. Nd. (30).
If you look closely at the cards in this set you may spot something interesting, because they are all from original paintings by one of three artists, these being Hardy, Gordon Frickers, and E. D. Walker.
Hardy always uses just his surname, but his forename is James. This may be because there are two earlier James Hardy, marine painters. All I have discovered is that he was born in 1937. However the other two artists, Gordon Frickers and E. D. Walker each maintain their own websites.
Tom Thumb Cigars started to circulate cards in 1976, with the rather curiously shaped “Record Breakers”, their only 1970s issue. The main body of their production did not come until 1981, with “Myths and Legends”, and our set appears to have been the last issue, just eight years later - unless anyone knows otherwise.
Their “Doncella” branded cards were similarly produced from 1975 to 1987, and their “Grandee” branded ones ran from 1977 to 1990.
Whilst at the same time (1975-1988) there were many coupon issues, in varying sizes, mostly quizzes and games – these also seem to have stopped by 1990.
Carreras Ltd [tobacco : UK] “Film Stars by Florence Desmond” (January 1936) 21/50 – C151-280 : C18-48
This was the most testing day of this week. It started off as World Turtle Day until I realised I had mentioned turtles already several times. Then it was the start of World Tomato Fortnight, but try finding cards of tomatoes, let alone in sets I have not shown before. But, ever gallant, Herbert Marshall stepped forward to save me. He also saved you from the only other possibility, which I shall not divulge.
Herbert Marshall was born in London and died in Beverley Hills. His birth name was Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall, and he was born today in 1890. It is odd that the text calls him, quite openly, by his nickname, which was forced upon him by his mother, who was fearful that he would find his own and it might be "Bertie". His parents were both on the stage and frequently away touring. They chose not to take their son with them, preferring that he had a good and regular education, though they did take him with them in school holidays, much to his dislike, and he was generally miserable.
When he left school he became a clerk, but somehow ended up backstage helping out a theatrical troupe, and, as often happens, he found himself on stage by a combination of conicidences. Now he was older he quite enjoyed it.
His stage career was interrupted by War Service. He was sent into action on the Western Front. Then in April 1917 he was hit in the leg by a sniper. Attempts were made to save it, but it was no use and his left leg was amputated. This may come as a surprise to many of you, and at the time it was also rather guarded information, for most of the time, despite frequent pain, he was either filmed in such a way that any limping was less apparent, or scenes involving movement were composed of short segments joined together at the editing stage.
However he was back on stage by the end of 1918. His first appearance on screen came in 1927, in a film called Mumsie. This was a very strange choice considering his own courage during wartime, as it dealt with a man who turns traitor when war breaks out, and gives the enemy access to the secret plans of his family`s gas factory. However it led to his first true leading man performance, in an American version of W. Somerset Maugham`s "The Letter", and that was also filmed in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he was very popular with cinemagoers. When the Second World War broke out he could not fight but he signed up and made radio broadcasts. He also volunteered behind the scenes, making frequent visits to clinics and hospitals to visit amputees who were on the edge of giving up. And he also kept on making films, one of which was an updated version of "The Letter", opposite Bette Davis, but this time he played the wronged husband, not the lover.
The actor who played the lover this time has been quite hard to track down, because he does not appear in the credits, but it turns out it was David Newell, who was involved in a serious car crash that made continuing in front of the camera impossible. However, just like Herbert Marshall, he refused to let life changing injuries beat him, and he became a very successful make up artist.
In both our original, and our updated, World Tobacco Issues Index, this set is described as : FILM STARS. Described by Florence Desmond. Sm. Nd. (50) The only difference is that the more modern book encloses the subtitle in inverted commas, as “Described by Florence Desmond”
W. D. & H.O. Wills [tobacco : UK] “Double Meaning”, playing card inset – untitled (1898) 11 - or Queen of Spades/52 – W675-054 : W62-40.B : W/5
Moving swiftly on, today is National Brothers Day, a celebration of all brothers. I looked at sporting brothers and musical brothers and then I spotted this, the origin of all brothers, worldwide. And though we have had Wills "Double Meaning" before, today`s card is the version with the playing card inset, so I can cross another variant off the list of wants.
In our original reference book to the issues of W.D. & H.O. Wills, part one, (which, a bit confusingly, is RB.3) issued in 1942, this set is described as being ;
DOUBLE MEANING. (NOTE.- This set has also been called “Well Known Sayings” and “Everyday Phrases”.)
A Series of fifty. Size 2-5/8 ins. x 1-3/8.ins. Numbered. Printed by A. Hildesheimer & Co. Issue date 1898. For home circulation.
A series of fifty-two, similar to the above, but with two extra cards added “A Highland Fling” (Ace Hearts) and “Outward Bound” (ten Hearts). With playing card insets. Printed by A. Hildesheimer & Co. Circulated abroad.
Fronts in full colour, without frame lines. All cards have “Wills`s Cigarettes” and numbers on fronts printed in brown ink. Backs printed in grey with Star and Circle ornamental design, with “Ld.” in circle.
There are two printings, and specialists can collect two sets, both with and without playing card insets. The difference is a chocolate-brown ink, which on some cards looks almost black.
There is no continuity in the suites of cards as related to actual card numbers, as the following shows :-
Card 1. Three Hearts Card 3. Five Hearts
Card 2. Two Hearts Card 4. Queen Diamonds
In our follow up reference book to the issues of W.D. & H.O. Wills, part two, (or RB.11), issued in 1948, the above has been amended, to read :
DOUBLE MEANING – see pages 13-14.
A) Series of 50 WITHOUT playing card insets
B) Series of 52 WITH playing card insets
There never seems to have been a note made of the month of issue, only the year, 1898.
This is rather a lengthy description, so it is probably wise that it was reduced in both our original and our updated World Tobacco Issues Index, to simply
DOUBLE MEANING (A). Sm. Grey scroll backs. Nd. See W/5
A) Without insets (50)
B) With playing-cards inset (52)
W. D. & H.O. Wills [tobacco : UK] “Physical Culture” (February 1914) 17/50 – W675-129 : W62-96 : W/90
One of my oddities now, celebrating an event from a book, the much loved science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And on this day, fans of the author Douglas Adams either carry a towel or wrap one about their person.
Douglas Adams was only 49 when he died on May 11th 2001.
You may be wondering what the significance of the the towel is. Well according to the author, a towel was "the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have", and he advised readers to never go anywhere without one. And on this day his fans prove that they were listening.
In our original reference book to the issues of W.D. & H.O. Wills, part three, (or RB.14) issued in 1949, this set is described as being ;
90. 50 PHYSICAL CULTURE. Fronts lithographed in colour; backs in grey, with descriptive text. Home issue 1914.
The month, once again, is courtesy of the Wills Works Magazine, which allowed us to reprint them when the Wills booklets were reprinted as a combined hardback volume
However once again this is reduced to a rather scant description in both our original and our updated World Tobacco Issues Index, simply "PHYSICAL CULTURE. Sm. Nd. (50)
Lambert & Butler [tobacco : UK] “Hints and Tips for Motorists” (March 1929) 9/25 – L073-380 : L8-51 : L/50 (RB.9/50)
And so we drive away into the sunset. A fitting end to our final day, for it is National Road Trip Day.
Now to me a road trip is leaving the dishes in the sink, getting in the car, choosing left or right at the first junction, and never coming back. But some people have the ability to set down roots, and for them a road trip is a journey, at the end of which they have an extended family that they have not seen for a long time, and cannot wait to see. again. Whilst at the end of my trip I hope to find a welcome at one of our Branches and Clubs. And maybe an empty table, to sell some of my cards.
As to why this day, the Friday before Memorial Day, was chosen, there are conflicting reasons. The unromantic just know it is the last holiday weekend before Summer. But some of us like to think that we are guided by the spirits of those who gave their lives that ours may be free, and they are taking us, and hopefully accompanying us, to places that they always dreamed to visit, but never got to go.
Lets start the card chat by using our original Lambert & Butler Reference Book RB.9, completed in January 1948 and issued later that year. It was the first one to say it was edited by Edward Wharton-Tigar, for RB.8, the Glossary of Cartophilic Terms, was edited by Eric Gurd.
The entry for this set reads :
50. 25 HINTS & TIPS FOR MOTORISTS. Fronts printed by letterpress, 4-colour half-tone process. Backs in dark green, with descriptions. March 1929.
In both our original, and our updated, World Tobacco Issues Index, this set is described as : "HINTS & TIPS FOR MOTORISTS. Sm. Nd. (25) See RB.21/209-50B"
RB.21/209-50 actually only adds that there is an anonymous issue, with letterpress on the back. For some reason that is given the code RB.21/209-50A whilst the branded Lambert and Butler set is given a B suffix. Or did A mean anonymous and B branded? For I note that all five of the Lambert and Butler sets in this “209” section are listed that way, with Anonymous as A.
Lambert and Butler definitely had a penchant for motoring sets. Their set of “Motors” (1908) was one of, if not the first set ever featuring automobiles, though at that time such things were well out of the price range of all but the most well heeled smokers.
This was followed by four sets of “Motor Cars” (October 1922, June 1923, March 1926, and February 1934), which should form the basis of every collection of car-cartophily.
And then there were other sets, equally exciting - “Motor Index Marks”, a guide to number plates, in December 1926, “How Motor Cars Work” in June 1931, “Motor Car Radiators” in August 1938, . Plus a “Motor Cycles” in November 1923.
And an album of these cards would make fine companions on any road trip.
This week's Cards of the Day...
Welcome to Monday - and the solution to our latest week`s theme, which was Middlesex County Day, which is being celebrated on the 16th of May. As to why this day was chosen to become the County Day, well that was revealed on Middlesex Day.
Now, sadly, Middlesex is no longer a county. Its demise started in 1965 when the Greater London Council decided that it was no longer an administrative authority and simply got rid of the Middlesex County Council. Then in the 1970s the Post Office joined in and said that now they had created the postcode system, it was no longer necessary to add the county in any postal address.
However, it is still celebrated, and indeed remains resolutely typed, written, and printed, as part of the address of any residents who are going to do their best to remember, or just to fight against any form of authority.
Saturday, 13th May 2023
Now some of our readers may be surprised to see a cricket card on instead of a Saturday Soccer Star, but actually the cricketer shown played football too, for Arsenal, for he was Denis Charles Scott Compton - or Denis Compton for short.
Middlesex County Cricket Club, or the M.C.C.C., is one of the eighteen teams in modern day cricket. They were founded in February 1864, but teams are known to have played as Middlesex for over a hundred and fifty years before that date. However their first match was not until June 1864, at the Cattle Market in Islington, against Sussex C.C.C. Player of the Day was one of the Walker Brothers, who had been so persistent in starting the club. Since 1877, their home base has been Lords, though they actually share it, with the Marylebone Cricket Club. And they were one of the first teams to join the County Championship as well, which began in 1890.
Hoadley`s Chocolates Ltd were based in Barrackville, Melbourne, and issued cards between 1912 and the late 1940s. They later became associated with Rowntree, at which point some of their cards were branded Rowntree, Hoadley Ltd.
This set is listed in our original Australian and New Zealand Index RB.30, published in 1983, a really valuable little book which includes both tobacco and trade issues.
Hoadley`s issued two versions of this set, a small sized version measuring 64 x 36 m/m which has forty cards and our medium sized one which measures 71 x 44 m/m and has only thirty-six cards.
Sunday, 14th May 2023
So here, for our third card, the clue related to the fact that the name of Middlesex comes to us by way of its early name, the Province of the Middle Saxons - or Middle Seaxe - which was presumably abbreviated to Middle-Sax. And they lived in the middle of the Saxon territory, in an area which is roughly the area of what our original Middlesex covered, plus a bit of Surrey, and maybe some Kent, though that was more likely occupied by the East Saxons, from where we get East-Sax or Essex. And yes, we do get Sussex from South-Sax.
This fine lady belies the fact that the original Saxons were Pagan and only moved to Christianity quite late. However some of you may indeed connect the first line of the text, about them being expert dyers, with Paganism, for it was heavily into the natural world and would have known all about plants and their medicinal and decorative uses, and it is very likely that the frequent depiction of "witches round a cooking pot" actually referred to the process involved in the dying of cloth.
The World Tobacco Issues Indexes describes this set, quite sparingly, as :
BRITISH COSTUMES.
Size
a) small
b) large
Nd. (25)
As far as I can tell the only difference between the sizes is that there is more background visible, for the large version of our card shows more of the roadway and a hedge. You can see a set of the large cards on the JSCards website .
This set was issued at an interesting time for Carreras, for they were in the process of relocating from the cramped Arcadia Works in City Road and moving north west to a purpose built Egyptian-Art-Deco styled factory in Mornington Crescent, which opened in 1928.
The cards are obviously art drawn, but I do not know who by, and sadly the planned Carreras and Boguslavsky reference book was never actually completed. But if there is a Carreras Connoisseur out there, and you know this, or anything else about the set, just email us at webmaster@card-world.co.uk
Monday, 15th May 2023
Now here we have our final clue card, and this relates to Twickenham, which is the first place name ever to be recorded as part of the Middlesex story. It actually appears as "Tuiccanham", in a charter drawn up in the eighth century which gave the area to the control of the Bishop of London. I have not been able to find out how this name was created. Yet.
Also this makes up, hopefully, for the lack of footballers this week.
This team was obviously included because they won the Championship again that year. It is still in existence but I cannot find out much about it, save that they now play in the Chiswick & District Sunday League rather than the South West Middlesex League. But I am intrigued by the fact that they have a "long history".
This set is a huge one, just our piece of it containing 110 cards. I may possibly be able to add an earlier write up on it by the time the newsletter goes up, I have not had time to look for it in the "Cigarette Card News", or more correctly to see if by some miracle it was reviewed in the few copies I have of that year.
Therefore the earliest description found so far appears in our Ardath Reference Book (RB.6 published in 1943). This sadly does not give it a reference code, but it tells us that it is :
October 1936. 110 Photocards Series "F", titled series. Size 3 1/8 x 2 1/4. Numbered 1-110. Real photographs of Football Teams of London and the Southern Counties, toned black and white, glossy fronts, titled, white margins. Backs printed in black, with descriptions, with "F" at bottom right. Issued with "King`s Cigarettes". Expanding Albums, price 6d., were issued.
1 variety known, 31 Tooting and Mitcham F.C. / Tooting and Mitcham United F.C.
There was also an "F.s" set of eleven cards, which were supplementary. If anyone knows what this means do get in touch. I am presuming that it is either newly created teams?
As you have come to expect, the World Indexes are much more concise and simply say : "Inscribed "F" Football Teams of London and the Southern Counties" (110)." The original volume does cross reference to RB.6, page 11, but the updated version does not.
There is a bit more information on the top banner, which adds "PHOTOCARDS. Numbered Series. Md. Black and white photos. Nd. Many cards found overprinted in red brown "Packed with Ardath Kings - 10 for 6d. - The Longer Cigarette"
Tuesday, 16th May 2023
Now this is a very interesting set, but oddly it does not seem to say anywhere that the colours used as a background to the badge are actually the same colours as on their Regimental Neck Tie. The giveaway for me was the card of the Royal Artillery, whose zig zag red and black pattern is immediately recognisable.
Our card is of the Middlesex Regiment, which is an amalgam of several earlier ones. Originally it was formed from the 57th, or West Middlesex Regiment, and the 77th, or East Middlesex Regiment. This happened in 1881, after which the name became The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).
This name remained until 1966, when it became part of an even larger conjoining under the title of The Queen`s Regiment. Most of these Regiments were from places in London and the Home Counties, but also including Sussex.
After such upheaval, it seems sad that it only endured this title for a few years, before being changed again to The Princess of Wales` Royal Regiment, and now encompassing the Royal Hampshires.
We need to return way further back for the origin of Middlesex Day though, to the time when the West Middlesex Regiment was fighting the Peninsula War, led by the Duke of Wellington. The Regiment was trying to keep the French from invading Portugal when their commanding officer came under fire and lost his horse. Instead of panicking, he yelled out, as loud as he could, "Die Hard, men Die Hard". This was the spur that changed the course of the Battle and the French were repelled. This action not only added the "Albuhera" to their banner (as you can see on many silks) but "The Die-Hards" became the Regimental nickname.
And the date of the Battle of Albuhera was the 16th of May 1811.
Oddly card number 1 of John Player "Badges and Flags of the British Regiments gives the nickname, but below the round belted cartouche at the top it has 77, which was the East Middlesex number and not the West. But the 57th Regiment was definitely the one at Albuhera. So did John Player not go back far enough to find out that the current Middlesex Regiment was once two?
Wednesday, 17th May 2023
Here we have Cedric Ivan James Smith, usually known as Jim. He was born in Wiltshire, and played for that team between 1926 and 1933. At the same time he was working at Lords Cricket Ground, and they slowly inveigled him to join Middlesex instead. It seems odd to us, with our vast resources of information gathering, but the Middlesex fans were convinced that he was a complete unknown, and celebrated his prowess wildly. However I am not sure why it was not openly revealed that he had been playing cricket for almost a decade elsewhere.
Now this card is very important in the story of Middlesex because of the crest in the circle. It is, or was, the County crest and it shows those three notched swords which were known as seaxes. And it was the prowess of the men from these parts with those weapons that led to them being known forever as the seaxans, or the Saxons.
The first time this set appeared in any cigarette card magazine was in July 1938, just one month after its issue. That magazine was the London Cigarette Card Company`s "Cigarette Card News", volume 5, issue number 57. It reads :
J. Player & Son - "Cricketers, 1938". A topical issue of 50 small cards. Head-and-shoulder portraits against a coloured background. The card also shows the County badge of the cricketers depicted, in the case of English cricketers, and of the State in that of Australia. Nos. 1 to 34 are of representative home players, and nos. 35 to 50 cover the Australian touring team.
It next appears in our early John Player reference booklet, RB.17, issued in 1950. This changes the above slightly and adds a bit more information, including that there is a second, or should I say, a first version:
62. 50 Cricketers, 1938. Small cards. Fronts in colour, County or State badge in circular inset. Backs in grey with descriptive text, adhesive. Special album issued.
A) Home issue, with I.T.C. and Album clauses. Issued June 1938
B) Channel Islands issue, without I.T.C. and Album clauses, issued May 1938.
The intriguing thing is that we may never know which of these printings the first write up was about, for it does not mention the clauses.
By the time of our World Tobacco Issues Index the description has been shortened to simply : "CRICKETERS, 1938. Sm. Nd. (50). See RB.17/62A". Now the "A" is important because the Channel Islands set does not follow the home issue any more, it is moved to section 3C, and given a new code. But seeing the "A" does at least suggest there is more than one printing. Whereas in our updated version there is the main text but no mention of RB.17. So if you did not know of the Channel Islands version you may never find it.
Thursday, 18th May 2023
Here we have another instance of the Middlesex crest with its three seaxes.
The text on the reverse of this card tells us that this club was founded in 1905, as the North London Automobile Club, but it attracted so many members that just two years later it had to be renamed to the North Middlesex Automobile Club, and then, in 1911, to the Middlesex County Automobile Club.
Now I have the great pleasure in telling you that this club is still alive and well and you can read of them at their website, which is http://www.mcac.co.uk/history.html - and even more excitingly it looks like they still have the same badge, with the car perched on top of the shield. However they quote that they changed their name in 1908 and 1910.
I have to say I find this a very sad set, for it celebrates fifty clubs right across this land, which were enjoyed by young men and women in the prime of their life, then you look at the date, and realise those fine specimens of youthfulness would soon be off to war. Especially as far as the other Middlesex club in this set, which is the Middlesex Gun Club, based at Hendon. And I doubt there was a single one of these clubs which did not resume its sporting activities without remembering former club mates who either did not return, or returned forever altered.
Our original Ogdens Reference Book, RB.15, published in 1949, describes this set as :
60. 50 CLUB BADGES. Fronts lithographed in colour, "Ogden`s Cigarettes" in blue, brown, or red, Backs in green, with descriptive text. Home issue, 1914.
The issuing month, of July, appears in my earliest London Cigarette Card catalogue.
The World Tobacco Issues Indexes both have the same shortened text, "CLUB BADGES. Sm. Nd. (50)"
Friday, 19th May 2023
This card may look like an odd one out but if you go right to the start of the realm of Middlesex, Westminster was part of its lands. That makes it doubly galling that it was Westminster that allowed Middlesex to disappear.
There are actually three versions of this set. All were issued in 1937, but our British Trade Indexes say it most concisely, as :
CEREMONIES OF THE CORONATION. Sm. 67 x 33. Nd. (25) ... MBM-1
A. Caption on front in black, back in black
B. Caption on front in blue, back in black
C. Caption on front in blue, back in blue.
Now in some dealer lists this is different. They list a black back and blue caption, which corresponds to B, and one with a blue back, which is possibly C. However they then sometimes have a version with a black back and a brown caption rather than the black and black. I have not seen the “brown” so if anyone has one do send us a scan please.
By the way, this is why when ordering varieties and different printings, it is always best to add a full description in words as well, rather than just go by the letter given.
As far as scarcity it seems that the blue front and back (our C) is quite a bit more expensive, so it must be rarer.
well there you have it, another newsletter, all ready for the press. I do hope you will celebrate a few of these days, however you choose, and explore some things that you are only discovering for the first time because of this.
And dont forget to pop back again next week to see what else we have discovered.