1910
This series of trading cards is simply called Actresses (Plain Back) and was issued in 1910 by the British American Tobacco Company (BAT). The series consists of 30 black and white cards depicting some of the most famous and beautiful actresses of the theater and cinema of the early twentieth century. The actresses are portrayed in half-length portraits, many of them with accessories or splendid headdresses. The cards have a completely white back, without any writing or logo. The name of the actress is shown at the bottom of the photo, in black capital letters on a white background. The cards are not numbered and have a size of approximately 6.2 x 3.5 cm. This series was printed identical to that of Ogden's of 1908, the difference is that in the Ogden's series the back had depicted the open pack of 10 which showed the "Polo" cigarettes, one of its most famous brands and under the pack an inscription in Burmese. Some of the actresses featured in this series are: Maie Ash, Billie Burke, Lily Elsie and Gabrielle Ray. These actresses were real divas, admired and imitated by the public for their beauty, their talent and their style. To see the complete series, click on further information, or on the symbol immediately below the year of the series.
1926
This 1926 series, produced by British-American Tobacco, is entirely dedicated to the screen and stage actresses of the mid-1920s: an exclusively female repertoire, in which Hollywood's biggest names—Marion Davies, Bebe Daniels, Mae Marsh, Corinne Griffith, and Alice Joyce—exist alongside the darlings of the British stage and screen, from Isabel Jeans to Madge Titheridge, from Enid Stamp Taylor to Vesta Sylva, and even the extraordinary Annette Kellermann, the Australian swimming champion turned star. What makes this issue particularly fascinating for collectors is its dual nature: the same images were distributed in two distinct versions, with two different back designs and two different numberings. The first is the anonymous issue, the one seen here, lacking the company name, in black and white and consisting of 50 cards; The second is the signed BAT issue, in color and reduced to 40 cards, of which 36 are taken from the anonymous series and 4 completely new subjects (Constance Binney, Joan Nurick and a second portrait of Irene Cowden and Corinne Griffith). The cards measure approximately 4.1 x 6.3 cm (1 5/8" x 2 1/2"), the classic small cigarette card format. Several actresses appear multiple times, in different poses: Isabel Jeans, Mary Leigh and Joyce Barbour are portrayed on three cards each, while Margery Binner, Corinne Griffith and Juliette Compton appear twice. And as often happens in these print runs, there is no shortage of small typographical oversights, true involuntary signatures of the time: in the anonymous series Juliette Compton becomes "Compson" on card 24, while in the color issue Julie Suedo is printed as "Sudo" and Enid Bennett loses a t, becoming "Bennet". Also curious is the case of card 34 of the BAT issue, where the portrait of Mary Leigh is reproduced but cropped, shorter than the anonymous version. These are minimal details, yet it is precisely in these discards—a misspelled surname, a cropped shot, a subject removed or added from one print run to the next—that the publishing history of these stickers can be read.
1933
The World Famous Cinema Artistes series of 1933 is one of the most fascinating and colorful among those produced by B.A.T. This series celebrates the stars of American cinema of the 30s, who enchanted the audience with their talent, their beauty and their charisma. The series consists of 40 cards and was printed in two different sizes: the larger one measures about 5.5 x 7 cm and the smaller one about 3.7 x 6.8 cm. The cards are made with high quality paper and feature sharp and bright images, which highlight the faces and expressions of the actors and actresses. The cards are also numbered and report the name of the star portrayed. Most of the cards are dedicated to actresses, with only three exceptions: Jimmy Durante, Robert Montgomery and Robert Young in pair with Dorothy Jordan. Some actresses appear on more cards with different poses, such as Joan Marsh (3 cards), Anita Page (2 cards), Dorothy Jordan (3 cards), Diana Wynyard (2 cards), Helen Twelvetrees (2 cards) and Myrna Loy (2 cards). Among the other stars in the series there are some of the most famous and admired of the classic cinema, such as Mary Carlisle, Irene Dunne, Lupe Velez, Maureen O’Sullivan and many others. These cards are very appreciated by collectors for their rarity and charm. They are real works of art, which testify the history and magic of cinema. To see the complete series, in this case the larger format, click on "Read More", or on the symbol just below the year of the series.
1935
The CINEMA CELEBRITIES (C) series of cigarette cards is a collection of 48 cards that celebrate the film stars of the 1930s. This series was printed in 1935 by the British American Tobacco company, one of the largest tobacco companies in the world. The cards are rectangular in shape and have a size of approximately 3.5 x 6.8 cm. The cards are beautifully colored and show an actor or actress with their first and last name at the bottom centre. On the back of the cards, starting from top to bottom, there is the name of the series "CINEMA CELEBRITIES (C)", the writing that says: "This is one of a series of pictures now being packed with these cigarettes", the card number, the star's name and surname again and lastly FAMOUS FILM STAR. A curiosity, in sticker no. 32 which represents Elizabeth Allan's card, the surname Allen is incorrectly reported on both sides. The cards are highly sought after by cinema and tobacco collectors, because they represent a historical and artistic testimony of a golden era of cinema. You can find more information and see images of all the cards on this website. I hope I have intrigued you and made you better acquainted with this series of cigarette cards. Thanks for your attention.
1938
"The cigarette cards ‘Modern Beauties, 3rd Series’ from 1938 are a true kaleidoscope reflecting the complexity and elegance of pre-war England’s popular culture and advertising. These cards, emerging as relics from a distant time, represent not only a tribute to femininity and glamour but also an era when cinema was the primary source of entertainment and inspiration for fashion and lifestyle. Each card’s dimensions, 6.7 cm by 9.5 cm, were ideal for capturing and highlighting the finesse and artistry of photography, allowing admirers to immerse themselves in the details and aura of each portrayed actress. The cinema stars of that period, immortalized on these cards, were revered as icons of beauty and style, embodying aesthetic ideals and the aspirations of an entire generation. Their images, beyond mere admiration, served as powerful marketing tools, promoting the sales of the cigarettes with which they were distributed. However, these cards transcended their advertising function, transforming into coveted collectibles for their intrinsic beauty and historical significance. Today, these cigarette cards are considered precious historical documents, offering a unique perspective on the perception of female beauty and fashion trends of the time. The ‘Modern Beauties’ series stands as a tribute to the luminous cinema stars of that era, but it also serves as a cultural document of great relevance, reflecting not only aesthetic ideals but also social dynamics and cultural currents of that historical period. Through these cards, we can observe how female beauty was represented and idealized, and how these representations influenced society. Actresses became role models, embodying grace, elegance, and charm, while remaining accessible to the general public through these small yet significant pieces of paper. The ‘Modern Beauties’ series thus becomes a bridge between the past and the present, allowing us to appreciate the continuity and evolution of beauty and style ideals over time."