Players Cigarettes Collection

Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, British grocer and yachtsman, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, British grocer and yachtsman, 1926. Portrait of Lipton (1848-1931) who created the famous Lipton tea brand and took part in the Americas Cup

Advert for Players Navy Cut Tobacco and Cigarettes, 1923. A print from The Illustrated London News, 28th April 1923

Sir Harry Lauder, Scottish comedian, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Harry Lauder, Scottish comedian, 1926. Portrait of Lauder (1870-1950). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

King Henry VI, illustration from Player's Cigarette Cards (colour litho)
3779220 King Henry VI, illustration from Player's Cigarette Cards (colour litho) by English School; (add.info.: From Player's cigarette card based on painting in the National Portrait)

Queen Victoria (colour litho)
3779248 Queen Victoria (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); (add.info.: From Player's cigarette cards, based on a photograph by W. and D. Downey.); Lebrecht History

Lumbering in Canada (chromolitho)
981077 Lumbering in Canada (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lumbering in Canada)

King Charles II portrait
3779234 King Charles II portrait; (add.info.: King Charles II portrait (Reigned 1660 - 1685). Having been exiled from England as a young man he returned to rule it through turbulent times including

A South African postman (chromolitho)
981067 A South African postman (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A South African postman)

The corner shop in Marshall Street Smethwick 1st December 1964

A Cigarette Machine Room, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Loading Tobacco at Norfolk, Virginia. 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Feed End of Drying Machine, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Sorting Tobacco, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Delivering Tobacco at Curing Barn, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Topping Tobacco, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Removing Tobacco Plants from Bed, 1926. From Players Cigarettes - From Plantation to Smoker: A Series of 25 [John Player & Sons, London, 1926]

Advert for Players Navy Cut cigarettes, 1928. A print from The Graphic, Christmas, 1928

James Buchanan, 1st Baron Woolavington, British philantropist and racehorse owner, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
James Buchanan, 1st Baron Woolavington (1849-1935), British philantropist and racehorse owner, 1926. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Sir Henry Joseph Wood, British conductor, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Henry Joseph Wood, British conductor, 1926. Portrait of Wood, (1869-1944). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

John Wheatley, Scottish politician, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
John Wheatley, Scottish politician, 1926. Portrait of Wheatley (1869-1930) was a Labour politician. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

James Henry Thomas, British trade unionist and politician, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
James Henry Thomas, British trade unionist and politician, 1926. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, Lord Chief Justice and diplomat, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, Lord Chief Justice and diplomat, 1926. Portrait of Isaacs (1865-1935), British politician, barrister, statesman, diplomat and lawyer

Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, British Prime Minister, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, British Prime Minister, 1926. Portrait of Liberal politician Lord Asquith (1852-1928)

Sir William Orpen, British painter, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir William Orpen, British painter, 1926. Portrait of William Newenham Montague Orpen (1878-1931). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Thomas Power O Connor, Irish journalist and politician, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Thomas Power O Connor, Irish journalist and politician, 1926. Portrait of O Connor (1848-1929). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Guglielmo Marconi, Italian inventor, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Guglielmo Marconi, Italian inventor, 1926. Portrait of Marchese Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937), physicist and inventor of wireless transmission

David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George, British Prime Minister, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George, British Prime Minister, 1926. Portrait of Liberal politician Lloyd George (1863-1945)

Sir Oliver Lodge, British physicist, (1926). Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Oliver Lodge, British physicist, (1926). Portrait of Oliver Joseph Lodge (1836-1920). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, British sportsman, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, British sportsman, 1926. Portrait of Lowther (1857-1944), an avid sportsman who donated the original Lonsdale Belts for boxing

Ramsay MacDonald, British Prime Minister, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Ramsay MacDonald, British Prime Minister, 1926. Portrait of MacDonald (1866-1937). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Matheson Lang, Canadian actor-manager and dramatist, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Matheson Lang, Canadian actor-manager and dramatist, 1926. Portrait of Lang (1879-1948) who became famous in Britain as a stage and film actor

William Joynson-Hicks, 1st Viscount Brentford, British statesman, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
William Joynson-Hicks, 1st Viscount Brentford, British statesman, 1926. Portrait of Jix (1865-1932) who was Home Secretary. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Rudyard Kipling, British writer and poet, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Rudyard Kipling, British writer and poet, 1926. Portrait of Kipling (1865-1936). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Augustus John, British painter, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Augustus John, British painter, 1926. Portrait of Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, British admiral, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, British admiral, 1926. Portrait of Admiral of the Fleet John Rushworth Jellicoe (1859-1935)

Sir Jack Hobbs, British cricketer, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Jack Hobbs, British cricketer, 1926. Portrait of Sir John Berry Jack Hobbs (1882-1963) who played cricket for Surrey and England

Sir John Martin-Harvey, British actor and theatre manager, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir John Martin-Harvey, British actor and theatre manager, 1926. Portrait of Martin-Harvey (1863-1934). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Martin Bladen Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke, British cricketer, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Martin Bladen Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke, British cricketer, 1926. Portrait of Hawke (1860-1938). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, British field marshal, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, British field marshal, 1926. Portrait of Haig (1861-1928) who commanded British forces during the First World War

George Grossmith Junior, British actor, manager and playwright, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
George Grossmith Junior, British actor, manager and playwright, 1926. Portrait of Grossmith (1874-1935) who brought cabaret and revues to the London stage

Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, British politician, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, British politician, 1926. Portrait of Viscount Grey (1862-1933) who was Foreign Secretary

Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, British politician, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, British politician, 1926. Portrait of Campbell Geddes (1875-1937) who was Minister of Transport. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Douglas Fairbanks, American film actor, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Douglas Fairbanks, American film actor, 1926. Portrait of Fairbanks (1883-1939), actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Sir Gerald du Maurier, British actor-manager, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Gerald du Maurier, British actor-manager, 1926. Portrait of Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier (1873-1934), father of Daphne

Stephen Donoghue, Jockey and trainer, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Stephen Donoghue, British jockey and trainer, 1926. Portrait of Donogue (1884-1945). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Sir Francis Bernard Dicksee, British painter, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Francis Bernard Dicksee, British painter, 1926. Portrait of Frank Dicksee (1853-1928). Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, 1926. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

Charles John Darling, 1st Baron Darling, British judge, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Charles John Darling, 1st Baron Darling, British judge, 1926. Portrait of Darling (1849-1936) in wig and robes. Cigarette card with straight-line caricature, issued by John Player & Sons

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"Exploring the Rich History and Iconic Artistry of Players Cigarettes" Step back in time with Players Cigarettes, a brand that has captivated generations with its rich history and iconic artistry. From the early 1900s to the mid-1920s, Players Cigarettes became synonymous with elegance and sophistication. One notable figure associated with this esteemed brand is Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet - a British grocer turned yachtsman who achieved great success in both fields. His portrait, beautifully captured by artist Alick P F Ritchie in 1926, graced the packaging of these distinguished cigarettes. Another famous face immortalized on Player's cigarette cards was none other than Sir Harry Lauder, a beloved Scottish comedian known for his infectious humor. Ritchie's artistic talent brought out Lauder's charismatic personality in stunning detail. The allure of historical figures didn't stop there; King Henry VI himself made an appearance on these exquisite cigarette cards. The vibrant colors of lithography enhanced his regal presence, making it a collector's dream to own such pieces of art. In addition to their captivating imagery, Players Navy Cut Tobacco and Cigarettes were advertised as the epitome of quality and refinement. An advert from 1923 showcased their commitment to excellence through elegant typography and tasteful design. Even royalty couldn't resist the charm of Players Cigarettes. Queen Victoria herself was depicted in all her majesty through color lithography – a testament to her influence during her reign. Venturing beyond borders, chromolithographs transported us across continents. From lumbering scenes in Canada to glimpses into South African life featuring postmen diligently carrying out their duties – each artwork told its own unique story while celebrating cultural diversity. Behind-the-scenes snapshots also shed light on the meticulous process involved in creating these premium tobacco products.