CIGARETTE BRANDS
A. & M. WIX
Origine: Londra (Fondata nel 1919) "Fondata dai fratelli Abraham e Michael Wix (creatori anche del marchio Peter Jackson), questa azienda ha lasciato un segno indelebile nel collezionismo. Famosa per le sigarette Max, la A. & M. Wix si distingueva per le sue produzioni internazionali, spesso con testi bilingue (Inglese e Afrikaans) per il mercato sudafricano. Per gli amanti del cinema, la loro serie 'Cinema Cavalcade' (1940) è un must: card di formato più grande, colori pastello unici e una selezione di star che spaziava da Hollywood al cinema britannico più ricercato."
ABDULLA & Co. Ltd.
Abdulla & Company, Ltd. è stata una storica azienda di tabacco fondata a Londra, Inghilterra, nel 1902. Era famosa per il suo marchio di sigarette omonimo, che produceva in varie miscele (egiziana, virginiana e turca). Nel 1917, Abdulla trasferì la sua sede al 173 di New Bond Street a Mayfair (in precedenza sede del negozio Fabergé, e attualmente di Chanel), e aprì una filiale nei Paesi Bassi nel 1923. Intorno al 1927, Abdulla & Company fu acquistata da un concorrente più grande, Godfrey Phillips, che mantenne il nome e i marchi della società. Nel 1968, Godfrey Phillips U.K. fu acquistata da Philip Morris International.
ARDATH TOBACCO CO. LTD.
Ardath Tobacco Ltd was a tobacco, cigar and cigarette manufacturing company founded in London in 1895 by Albert Levy and Thomas. The company changed its name from La Casa de Habana to Ardath Tobacco Company in 1896 and specialized in the production of cigarette cards, illustrated postcards that were inserted into cigarette packets as a form of advertising and collectibles. In 1925 the company sold the international rights to its best-known brand, State Express 555, to British American Tobacco (BAT), but continued to produce it for the British market. In 1958 the company merged with Rothmans of Pall Mall and became part of the BAT group.
B. MORRIS & SONS LTD.
Società produttrice di tabacco con sede a Londra, Inghilterra. Fu fondata nel 1810 e si stabilì a Londra intorno al 1826. La società produceva una varietà di marche di tabacco e sigarette, come Reina Regenta, Joysticks, Forcasta, Blue Book, Three Witches e Silk Cut. Alcuni dei suoi prodotti avevano un sapore straniero o esotico, e potrebbero essersi specializzati nel mercato di esportazione. La società controllava anche diverse altre aziende legate al tabacco, come Cabana Cigar Co, Ottoman Cigarette Co, E. Levy & Sons e Albert & Bromet. La società cessò le operazioni nel 1940.
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT)
British American Tobacco is one of the world's largest cigarette manufacturing companies, headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its history began in 1902, when the British Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company formed a joint venture to handle all operations outside their respective home countries. The first president was James "Buck" Duke, who followed a strategy based on product quality, staff selection, competitive pricing and mechanization of production.
BUCKTROUTH & Co. Ltd.
Origin: Guernsey (Channel Islands) "Founded in 1830 on the island of Guernsey, Bucktrout is one of the most distinctive manufacturers in the Channel Islands. Although less well-known than the London giants, its series of cigarette cards are today considered rare gems by collectors, particularly for their themes related to inventiveness and nature, distributed mainly in the local and colonial markets.
CARRERAS TOBACCO COMPANY
Origin: London (Founded 1788) "Carreras is famous not only for its products, but for its iconic 'Black Cat' factory in Camden, an Art Deco masterpiece guarded by two enormous bronze black cats. Producer of historic brands such as Craven A and Black Cat, the company has printed millions of cigarette cards, ranging from cinema to sports, making the 'black cat' a symbol of absolute graphic quality."
CAVANDERS LTD
Origin: London (Founded 1775) "An old London house, Cavanders became world-famous through its Army Club brand. Their advertising campaigns and accompanying cards often reflected the British 'stiff upper lip' spirit, especially during the war years. Their 'Peeps into Many Lands' and silent film series are still highly sought after today for their sharp sepia-toned images."
CHURCHMAN'S
Origin: Ipswich (Founded 1790) "Begun in Ipswich as a small family business, Churchman's later became a cornerstone of the Imperial Tobacco Group. Despite the acquisition, it retained a strong identity, producing some of the most educational and beautifully designed card series of the 20th century, ranging from General Curiosities to 1930s movie stars."
EDWARDS RINGER & BIGG
Origine: Bristol "Storica azienda di Bristol, cuore pulsante dell'industria del tabacco britannica. Edwards, Ringer & Bigg è nota soprattutto per i marchi di tabacco da pipa come Klondyke e Exmoor Hunt. Le loro carte sono spesso caratterizzate da temi avventurosi e coloniali, che riflettevano l'espansione dell'Impero Britannico e l'interesse per l'esotico tipico dell'epoca."
GALLAHER LTD
Origin: Belfast / London (Founded 1857) "Founded by Tom Gallaher in Derry, and later moved to Belfast and London, Gallaher was one of the few companies to remain independent and successfully challenge the Imperial Tobacco monopoly. With legendary brands such as Park Drive and Senior Service, their 'Famous Film Scenes' and star portrait cards are among the most popular and loved in the film collecting world."
GODFREY PHILLIPS LTD
Origin: London (Founded 1844) "A giant of advertising innovation, Godfrey Phillips is famous for the BDV brand and the incredible variety of cards they produced, including the innovative 'Pin-Up' and circular series. They were among the first to understand the potential of cards not just as a package enhancer, but as a true mass loyalty tool."