Lot 291: A Large Collection of 20th Century Cigarette and Trade Cards

This lot comprises a large collection of cigarette and trade cards, featuring several thousand examples from various series and publishers. The cards are primarily organized into groups secured with elastic bands. Visible series include WILLS’S CIGARETTES A SERIES OF 50 DO YOU KNOW, JOHN PLAYER & SONS NOTTINGHAM, and TURF CIGARETTES DOG BREEDS NO 8 POINTER. The collection covers diverse subjects including natural history, illustrated by cards for BRITISH WILD LIFE No. 39 and NATURE SERIES 36 THE WARTY NEWT, alongside sporting themes such as a Manchester United club crest. Other sets include KENSITAS CIGARETTES, VIMS-PET, and trade cards from Mitcham Maid Cheese and Cerebos Custard. Many cards feature printed text on the reverse providing educational information relevant to the subject matter. Marks for W.D. & H.O. WILLS, Bristol & London, and JOHN PLAYER & SONS, Branch of The Imperial Tobacco Co. of Great Britain & Ireland, Ltd., are clearly printed on the reverse of many cards.