THE CIGARETTE CARD STORY
Cards given as free gifts inside packs of cigarettes were uniquely introduced in the United States of America (USA) more than a century ago. Following complaints of damaged cigarettes in packs, American tobacco manufacturers came up with the idea of providing beautiful pictures on thick card to be used as stiffeners inside the packs. First sets included photographic cards of girl cyclists, actors, actresses, beauties and Celebrated American Indian Chiefs.
This uniqueness continued until the turn of the century when the beginnings of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Northern Ireland emerged. This company was finally formed in 1903. Thereafter, cigarette cards were distributed through the former British Empire, worldwide. Cigarette cards finished in the USA in 1910 and although there are exceptions, most cigarette cards ended in 1940. Other European countries including Germany produced them during this era albeit their range of sets and subjects were very limited.
Cigarette cards reflect almost every subject imaginable and the data printed on the reverse sides was well researched and of high quality. This information poignantly and accurately describes history and they are in themselves, educational.
Cigarette cards are truly a historic part of the tobacco manufacturing industry and their value will, over the next decade or so, substantially increase. Cigarette cards convey truth, beauty and culture by picture and the printed word. That is why cartophily (the name for collecting cigarette cards) is a hobby par excellence.