Heraldic tobacco cards
Cigarette (tobacco) cards were issued by tobacco companies as advertising in their packages. Originally added to provide strength to the package, but at the end of the 19th century the companies realised the advertisment value of these inserts. These cards were issued mainly until 1940, but some companies continued to issue cards in later years.
Cards issued by non-tobacco companies are listed as Trade cards
Cigarette cards were especially popular in the US and the former British Empire (UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa...), and less in other countries. In many other countries the tobacco companies issued stamps rather than cards, and they often issued special albums for the stamps or cards; see the Heraldic albums section for albums issued by tobacco manufacturers.
Although over 13000 different series of cigarette cards are known, only a small number actually deals with heraldic items.
Denmark
(incl. UK cards for the Danish market)
France
Germany
Many German tobacco companies issued series of cards, but most of them were designed for albums and thus are listed under Heraldic albums.
Malta
Netherlands
Turmac - National arms and flags + town arms (silks)
South Africa
United Tobacco Co (South Africa) Ltd. - South African Coats of Arms
United Tobacco Co (South Africa) Ltd. - Arms and crests of universities and schools of South Africa
Spain
Santiago Caballero Cabrera - Arms and flags of Spanish provinces
La Favorita - Escudos Nacionales y Coloniales
La Mascota - Arms of countries
Sweden
Unknown publisher - Cards of Swedish provinces
United Kingdom
non Wills's
Carreras black cat - country arms
Godfrey Phillips BDV Heraldic Series
John Player & Sons - Countries Flags and Arms
John Player & Sons - RAF Badges
John Player & Sons - Country Seats and Arms
I. Rutter & Co. - Girls, flags and arms of countries
Wills's
(incl. overseas issues, f.e. Australia)
Uruguay
USA
Contact and Support
Partners:
Your logo here ?
Contact us
© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink 
Index of the site