Summary
Cigarette card issued by BDV Cigarettes in the 1930s, as part of a set featuring famous sporting identities, including the champion jockey, Bill Elliot, who rode Phar Lap to seven victories.
Physical Description
Rectangular card with semi-coloured image of W. (Bill) Elliot on one side, surrounded by a white border. Reverse side has semi-coloured image of the race horse Heroic.
Significance
The use of sporting figures (equine, mechanical and human) in cigarette cards was common from the 19th century. Usually sold singly with a cigarette packet, the marketing concept was presumably to reward brand loyalty with these little keepsakes and perhaps to encourage others - teenagers? - to take up the habit of smoking. Both Phar Lap and his (occasional) jockey Bill Elliot were logical choices as subjects. These cards further evidence the use of the Phar Lap name and image for commercial purposes.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase from Rare Old Times, 17 Jul 2003
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Issued By
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Person Depicted
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Inscriptions
Printed on front: B.D.V. CIGARETTES/ W.ELLIOT Printed on reverse: B.D.V. CIGARETTES/ HEROIC
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
6.7 cm (Length), 3.7 cm (Width)
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Keywords
Advertising, Cigarettes, Horse Racing, Horses, Racing Industry, Smoking, Sports, Making History - Phar Lap
