Lot 299: A Collection of British Cigarette Cards and a Carved Hardwood Box
A collection of vintage British cigarette cards housed in four transparent multi-pocket plastic protective sheets, accompanied by a rectangular hand-carved hardwood box. The card collection includes several series from major British tobacco manufacturers. Visible sets from John Player & Sons include Modern Naval Craft (1939) featuring cards such as H.M.S. SUNFISH, H.M.S. HOWE, ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, H.M.S. REPULSE, and H.M.S. NORFOLK. The collection also features John Player & Sons Motor Cars, Second Series (1936) including a ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III CONTINENTAL TOURING SALOON and a FLYING STANDARD 20 H.P. V-EIGHT SALOON, Roman Britain (1934) featuring A FINE MOSAIC AT VERULAMIUM, and Animals of the Past (1924) featuring WHEN MAMMOTHS ROAMED LONDON. Also present are cards from the W.A. & A.C. Churchman series The Story of Navigation (1937), with illustrations including AN EGYPTIAN RIVER BOAT and A DUG-OUT LOG CANOE alongside various historical sailing vessels. The rectangular box is constructed from a stained hardwood with a lid featuring shallow relief-carved scrolling vines and stylized flowers. An orange adhesive label on the top surface of the lid reads 299 and a white adhesive label beside it reads 12 12. The underside and interior of the box are not visible.
Condition report:
The cigarette cards are generally well-preserved within the protective sleeves, displaying vibrant colours with minor corner wear and toning consistent with age (photo 1). The wooden box shows light surface scratches and minor wear to the stained finish, particularly along the sharp edges and corners (photo 2). Two adhesive labels remain on the top surface of the lid.
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