FROM THE PUBLISHER

One of the marketing success stories of the 20th century, the cigarette card, may also claim to be among one of the few promotional devices that was produced to inform enlighten and entertain its recipients all for free! During the heyday of the cigarette card in the late 1930s, the major cigarette manufacturers were issuing hundreds of millions of cards for just a single series. The creation, design, printing and distrbution of the humble cigarette card became an industry in itself.

Although cigarette cards were first issued over 100 years ago, trade cards have a history stretching back to the 17th century. Cards are still being produced today-and can be obtained when purchasing certain brands of chocolate, soft drinks, cigars, and more.