At the beginning of the war, rumour
abounded as to the imminent demise of cigarette cards, so much so that several
tobacco firms were obliged to counter with disclaimers, among them R & J
Hill who issued the following statement “Messrs R & J Hill Ltd wish to
make it publicly known that they are not associated with any announcement
appearing in newspapers that cigarette cards are to stop. Indeed, from
1st January 1940, they will issue a new series of 50 Famous Ships
with ‘Imperial Cigarettes’. And so they did – producing a fine
series in colour and full of interest. The choice is not confined to fighting
ships afloat, although these are well represented by such vessels as the
“Hood” and the new aircraft carrier “Illustrious”.
Commercial craft include crack liners like the “Empress of Britain”,
“Rex”, “Queen Elizabeth” and the now notorious
“Bremen”. Part of the series is devoted to historic ships such as the
“Marie Celeste”, “Victory” and vessels which took part in
the 1914-18 conflict, plus the “Titanic”. Altogether a valuable
contribution to maritime history.
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