Holidaymakers in Jersey back in the 1960s may remember coming across the local Best Virginia Cigarettes made on the island by Ching & Co. with which were packed cards from our Set of The Month, 50 Veteran and Vintage Cars. The definition of ‘veteran’ is cars produced before 1916, whilst ‘vintage’ applies to those from 1916 to 1930, and indeed all the subjects fall into those two categories. However, the series falls into two parts, numbers 1 to 25 being logically arranged chronologically from Hammell 1886 through to Pierce-Arrow 1916 – all veterans. But if you expected numbers 26 to 50 to be the follow-on vintage group you would be wrong, because this second part goes back to 1892 before progressing through to 1923, and, in fact only the last three cards are ‘vintage’! The final card is the three-litre Bentley, the prototype of which took to the road in 1919 and went on to gain victories at Le Mans in the 1920s. “This sports car remained in production, with added improvements, as long as the firm of Bentley existed as an independent unit” we are told. We believe this was 1931 when Rolls-Royce took the business over. Lots of fascinating information on these cards, with colourful illustrations.

This set of 50 Veteran and Vintage Cars issued by Ching & Co in 1960 in finest collectible condition is catalogued at £20.00.