Cigarette cards were invented in the 1870s in the United States, when the small cards used to reinforce the packaging of cigarettes were issued with pictures. Collecting a full set – usually 25 – fostered brand loyalty. Children used them in games – and carried them wrapped with a rubber band, so numbers 1 and 25 are usually in very poor condition. More serious collectors framed the sets, and such items as well as individual cards are widely available although the development of card packaging ended their original use, which in Britain started around 1887.

The themes included military heroes, monarchs, actresses, film stars, theatrical and political personalities, sports teams and individuals. Some of the people were black, as with boxer Harry Brown:

The themes included military heroes, monarchs, actresses, film stars, theatrical and political personalities, sports teams and athletic individuals. Well-known black individuals such as world boxing champions Jack Johnson and Joe Louis (both Americans) were shown. Others whose fame has not lasted can be found. There were several boxers named Harry Brown (one stimulated a film which included Michael Caine).

A fine image of West Indian cricketer C. A. Ollivierre, who played for Derbyshire in the 1900s, is in the ‘County Cricketers’ series. Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was pictured in colour in a series on musicians, which met trouble in 1914 as several of the musical celebrities were German or Austrian and they were now at war with Britain. Coleridge-Taylor appeared in the second issue of this series.

There are specialist dealers and trade magazines, and many on-line sites.