Issued in 1937 at a time when parts
of the British empire such as India and South Africa were already calling for
independence threatening the cohesion of an association built up over
centuries, our set of the month for April is Wix’s 50 Builders of Empire.
Originally in packets of Kensitas – “the mild cigarette – just
what the doctor ordered”, we are told on the backs, the cards are colour
portraits of royalty, warriors and explorers who had carved their names in
history. For example we find Lord Nelson, famous for his defeat of the French
at Trafalgar, David Livingstone whose discoveries include The Victoria Falls
and Captain Cook who is described on the back of the card as
“Britain’s greatest navigator”. Some of the other famous
personalities featured are Wellington, Raleigh, Drake, Gordon, Kipling, Wolfe
and Clive of India. Just four out of the fifty are women – Elizabeth 1,
Queen Victoria, Florence Nightingale and one few will have heard of –
Baroness Burdett-Coutts, who for the sake of others “lived from 1814 to
1906, devoting her life to practical philanthropy and a keen interest in
missionary work”, so now you know.
This set of 50 cards is well worth adding to your
collection and is available in very good condition at £30.00.
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