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Lot 154:
Description
A large and diverse collection of vintage cigarette and trade cards, primarily from the early to mid-20th century, comprising several complete and part-complete sets housed in original and contemporary albums. The collection features major brands including John Player and Sons, W.D. and H.O. Wills, and Kensitas. Major items include The Kensitas Album of National Flags in a green cloth-bound cover, and a specialist John Player and Sons album titled Military Uniforms of the British Empire Overseas. Multiple W.D. and H.O. Wills cigarette picture-card albums are present in various colours including tan, green, and brown. Two large format collector albums are included, one in black cloth titled Cigarette Pictures and another in brown textured board with a hiker illustration.
Identified card sets visible within the albums include John Player and Sons series for Canaries, Racing Horses, and a natural history series featuring subjects such as Kangaroo, Fallow Deer, Lion, Lynx, Highland Cow, Cheetah, Argali, and Chimpanzee. A significant quantity of loose cards is contained within a cardboard box and plastic bag, featuring Brooke Bond Tea British Butterflies and black and white photography cards of early cinema actors. The lot is accompanied by a reference book titled All About Cigarette Cards.
Condition report:
The albums show typical age-related wear, including corner bumping, edge rubbing, and light foxing and tanning to the covers and interior pages. The cards mounted within the albums generally appear to be in Near Mint to Lightly Played condition, showing good colour retention. The loose cards exhibit varying degrees of handling wear from Lightly Played to Moderately Played, including corner softening and minor surface scuffing. One loose film star card displays a significant dark stain on the reverse. The reference book shows spine wear and surface soiling.
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