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An Oak and Silver Pedestal Bowl with Large Collection of Cigarette and Trade Cards

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Start price: £20

Estimated price: £20

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Description

An oak pedestal bowl with a silver rim and two lion-mask drop handles, featuring a central unengraved silver shield to the body. The bowl contains a large collection of loose cigarette and trade cards dating from the mid-20th century. Visible series include nature, transport, and topographical subjects. The collection includes a partial album for the W. D. and H. O. Wills series Railway Equipment, with printed descriptions for cards including No. 6 Modern Locomotive Coaling Plant, No. 8 Steam Breakdown Crane, and No. 10 Interior of Mail Sorting Coach. Other visible cards comprise the W. D. and H. O. Wills series including No. 13 Guard Viewing Signals Through Periscope, No. 14 Automatic Ticket-Issuing and Change-Giving Machine, and No. 15 Mechanism of an Escalator Working. The assortment also features cards from the Brooke Bond Tea series, including International Air-Liners, and a large-format set depicting Japanese Tea Bowls. Topographical photographs include scenes of Glorious Devon. Several cards and the album pages bear the printed name W. D. and H. O. Wills, while nature-themed cards are marked Brooke Bond Tea.


Condition report:

The wooden bowl shows minor surface scuffs and wear to the finish, with tarnish and surface oxidation visible on the silver rim, handles, and presentation shield (photo 1). The cigarette cards are in mixed condition, ranging from fair to good. Many loose examples exhibit corner wear, minor creasing, and age-related toning (photo 2). A stack of large-format cards is secured by a rubber band which may cause future staining (photo 2). The Railway Equipment album shows typical age-toning and wear to the corner slots (photo 1).