Wills 200th Anniversary
Double pack commemorating the 200th anniversary of W.D & H.O. Wills Ltd, 1786 - 1986.
Double pack commemorating the 200th anniversary of W.D & H.O. Wills Ltd, Bristol (1786 - 1986) and presented to all their employees and pensioners. The four aces are reproduced from an early set of ‘stiffeners’ (so called because they stiffened the paper cigarette packs), advertising the company’s leading brands. The rest of the pack features cigarette cards. See the Explanatory Card►
Above: double pack commemorating the 200th anniversary of W.D & H.O. Wills Ltd, 1786 - 1986. Each deck has 52 cards + 2 Jokers plus an insert card that describes the decks, inside a presentation case. One pack has silver borders and backs, the other has gold borders and backs.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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