Who knew that such a thing as Royal trading cards existed? Collect all 50! “I’ll trade you my 'Duke of Kent’s wedding' for your 'King George visiting the Royal Academy.'” And, yet, here they are.
Wills Cigarette Company also known as Wills, Watkins & Co., Wills & Co., W.D. & H.O. Wills and a few other names, was one of the first tobacco companies in Britain. Starting as a shop front around 1791, the company developed into a major cigarette manufacturer, offering unprecedented benefits to its employees—benefits such as paid vacations, medical care and cafeterias and gymnasia for workers.
Among the other innovations of Will & Co. was the inclusion of advertising cards with their packets of cigarettes. By 1895, these advertising cards were changed to general interest trading cards which could be collected by customers. Not only were they educational, but these cards encouraged people to buy more cigarettes. Among the many sets produced by Wills & Co. was a 50 card series about the lives of King George V and Queen Mary.
Recently, I purchased—all at once—this set of 50 cards which had been amassed by some Royal-loving smoker over seventy years ago. The cards are in remarkably good, if not perfect, condition. Each card shows a scene from the lives of King George V and Mary of Teck from their coronation to important events in the lives of their children and families. The reverse of each card contains the Wills logo as well as a paragraph about the scene.
They’re really quite lovely. And, so, in order to showcase all of them, starting next week, we’ll be replacing the “Goal for the Day” section at
Stalking the Belle Époque with a “Card of the Day” section which will not only give you a chance to enjoy the beauty of these cards, but also to discover the history behind each scene.
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