Imperial Tobacco Collection
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  • Display Figures (6)
  • Ashtrays (443)
    • A- ABDULLA, AFTON, ADKINS, ALLEN (Richmond Gem), ANSTIE,
    • ARDATH-Ardath-State Express-333, 555, 777
    • BRYANT & MAY, BLUES, SWAN VESTA
    • CARRERAS-Craven A, Dunhill, Kensitas, Picaddilly, Turf
    • OGDEN'S- (Robin, St. Bruno, St. Julien, Guinea Gold)
    • C- CAVENDERS ( Army Club), CHURCHMAN, COPES, JOHN COTTON, CWS
    • DAVIDOFF, DE RESZKE & DOBIES
    • ENGLAND'S GLORY, EDWARDS, RINGER
    • FRANKLYN'S & FAULKNER
    • GALLAHERS- Ariel, B&H, Cadets, du-Maurier, Nelson, Olivier, Park Drive, Senior Service, Silk Cut, Sterling
    • GREYS, HILLS, LAMBERT & BUTLER, MARCELLA, MITCHELLS, MARCOVITCH, MELACHRINO, PARLIMENT,
    • PLAYER'S-(Anchor, Bachelor, Country Life, Clipper, Gold Leaf, JPS, Navy cut, Player's Please, Player's, Vanguard, Weights)
    • ROTHMANS, STUYVESANT, SALMON & GLUCKSTEIN ,TEOFANI, WESTMINSTER, WINTERMANNS
    • WILLS'S-(Star, Capstan, Gold flake, Woodbine, Bristol, Embassy, Castella, Strand, Virginia, etc.)
  • Dominoes-Sets & Singles (36)
  • Cribbage Boards (88)
  • Jugs, Mugs & Tankards (82)
  • Change & Drinks Trays (70)
  • Mirrors (17)
  • Single Playing Cards (591)
    • Player's
    • Wills's
    • Carraras - CravenA, Dunhill, Kensitas, Turf
    • Ardath - State Express
    • All Other Brands
  • Beermats (154)
  • Tins & Boxes (32)
  • Park Drive-Cigarette Case-Football Clubs (27)
  • Fixture Cards (27)
  • Bowls, Club & Whist Cards (70)
  • Matchbooks (48)
  • Paper Weights (7)
  • Matchbox Covers (6)
  • JPS (John Player Special) (25)
  • Toys & Games (124)
  • Paper/Card/Metal Adverts (21)
  • Misc Items (87)
  • WWII Soldiers in India (1)

A Collection of Cigarette & Tobacco Advertising hardware
- Mostly issued  by
​the Imperial Tobacco company (ITC)

(Period 1920-2000)

ITC History

In the beginning.........

6/2/2016

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Have now added some 1300 images of cigarette/tobacco advertising, on a variety of products, that were a common sight in everyday British life in the 20th century....please feel free to take a look.

We will not see the likes of such product on our shores again!
​
Many will say 'a good thing too'. However after collecting these items for the past 30 years I have been  intrigued by the vast variation and inventiveness of form given to such simple product. Many items are a small work of art in there own right...well I think so.


Take for example this simple Player's clear glass ashtray...just 5 inches (125mm) in diameter ...the portrait of Hero seems to have been reverse wheel cut, not moulded, on the underneath... surely craftsmanship worthy of lalique?

​Or the simple elegance of this square Woodbine glass ashtray from 1935. With identical slogan on all four sides and finished in a deep green. (I do like green!)
Picture
Take this simple water jug from Player's... a unique form, among other jugs, in cream glaze with royal blue banding and finished off with the red 'Player's Please' script  and Hero lifebuoy. c.1936
Picture
The craftsman of yesteryear were great at producing functional product with a simple elegance.
Picture
I don't expect many, if any, to agree with my views on the craftsmanship of the simple products shown on this site. However if you would like to leave a comment please do so.
(I have never smoked...so have no views on the virtues or vices of smoking)
​
I will be adding more data to the images as time permits and posting some more blogs with information about items shown and the Imperial Tobacco Company and its products.​​ 
And finally...for now.  But what about this for a piece of plastic art!
​Well its actually Bakelite (fore runner of the plastics we now know). At some 12 x 12 inches (300 x 300mm) the hands are driven by a small mains electric motor.​
Picture
Surely an icon of the advertising art of the 20th century!
​
That's me on the left!
You know who on the right!​

Picture
If you have an image of a related product to add, please get in touch. Thanks.
​Mike 
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    Last update

    13 Jan 2022 - added Wills change tray and several single playing cards
    6 Dec 2021 - added Players Please Bridge card
    ​6 Nov 2021 - added L&B ashtray, Park drive whist card.
    ​27 Oct 2021 - added Richmond Gem glass ashtray
    19 Sept 2021 - SS Club card added.
    ​13 August 2021 - RED BELL ashtray added.
    ​11 August 2021 - Players Please change tray, CONDOR crib board, 2 fixtures cards and Nelson Whist card added.
    21 July 2021 - Shrewsbury Park Drive case & Wooden Capstan dominoes added.
    21 April 2021 - 3 club cards added.
    ​13 March 2021 -Ogdens GoldBlock change tray and Wills's bridge card added.
    18 Feb 2021 - Melachrino ashtray added.
    ​3 Feb 2021 - England's Glory crib board added -Green.
    ​

    Author

    Mike
    ​Owner of a box room filled with all the things my wife will throw away when I am gone...including me!
    ​Plus more 'toys' in the garage!

    My Austin 101 van
    My MGB GT

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    ITC -Numbers to Year
    Further Information
    Imperial Tobacco Co.
    W.D. & H.O Wills's
    John Player's & Son
    Gallahers
    Carreras (Craven A.)
    Ogdens (Robin etc.)
    TobaccoCollectibles
    Picture

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