| The London firm J. Wix & Sons is
best known for its Kensitas cigarettes which, back in the 1930s, were promoted
by several outstanding series, most notably the silk flags and flowers, then
Henry. By this time the company was owned by the American Tobacco Co., a hint
of which came when the British Empire Flags silks appeared bearing the words
"printed in U.S.A" But it was the Henry cards which really emphasised the
trans-atlantic connection. The parent company commissioned Carl Anderson, the
well-known American strip-cartoonist, to produce a series of pictures each of
which was a complete episode in the life of a mischievous boy Henry who gets up
to all sorts of hilarious capers. These proved hugely popular when issued in
the States with Tareyton cigarettes, and were switched to the UK market in
1935. In just over a year five different series of fifty were issued, and our
set of the month for May is the last of them, series five. You can't fail to be
amused by the fronts, and amazed at the backs which blatantly state that
Kensistas protect your throat against irritation and cough, endorsed by 1004
doctors! |
