JOHN PLAYER & SONS
John Player was a tobacco, cigar and cigarette manufacturer founded in Nottingham in 1877 by Louis Rothman. The company was known for its brands such as John Player, John Player Special, Gold Leaf and Player’s. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1929 and in 1901 it merged with other companies to form the Imperial Tobacco Company to face the competition of American manufacturers. The company also released several series of collectible cards on football in the 1930s under the Player’s brand. Today the “Player” and “John Player Special” brands are owned and marketed by Imperial Brands.
