HINTS
Cards should be in excellent condition with square corners, without folds, creases and other damage. With scarce sets, this criterion cannot always be met.
If framed, cards should be completely visible front and back, mounted between two pieces of glass. If cards are not visible in their entirety, ask questions to determine how they are mounted. If glued or adhered in any way, do not buy.
Watch for reproductions! Always look beneath the manufacturer's name on the reverse side. If there is any reference to ‘reprint’ or ‘reproduction’ the value is greatly reduced.
Some of the adhesive backed cards issued in the 1930s can be found stuck down in original tobacco manufacturer’s albums. These have limited value; never pay more than a few pounds per book.
Interest in the collecting of cigarette cards in many categories continues to grow world wide. This has caused a shortage of availability of many sets that has resulted in price increases. There are however, many collections that can be bought at a relatively low cost. Overall prices are increasing above the level of inflation providing a sound investment as well as hours of pleasure. This hobby (cartophily) has captured the hearts and imagination of people of all ages and will, like stamp collecting, remain a recreational and educational interest for generations to come.