HOME__________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOME__________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWSLETTER No. 13 - Summer 1985
WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION
Collecting Butterfly Cards
Whilst visiting a local Antique Fair I was encouraged to inspect a
specialist dealer's stock of cigarette and other trade cards. Many titles were
there with familiar titles remembered from schooldays - "Garden hints", "Wild
flowers", "Animals of the countryside", "The Seashore" and so on. I was
interested to see what was available in our own particular subject and from
dealers' catalogues I was able to compile the following list. Some sets seem to
be very elusive and may only be available as single cards, thus making set
completion quite difficult. Others can still be found easily and are relatively
cheap.
| Abdulla & Co | British Butterflies | 1935 | Series of 25 | |
| Adkin & Sons | Butterflies and Moths | 1924 | Series of 50 | |
| Amalgamated Tobacco Corp. Ltd. (Mills) |
Butterflies and Moths | 1957 | Series of 25 | |
| Wm. Clarke & Son | Butterflies and Moths | 1912 | Series of 50 | |
| Gallaher Ltd | Butterflies and Moths | 1938 | Series of 48 | |
| R. J. Lea Ltd | Butterflies and Moths | 1924 | Series of 12 | Silk |
| R. J. Lea Ltd | Butterflies and Moths | 1924 | Series of 12 | Silk |
| R. J. Lea Ltd | Butterflies and Moths | 1924 | Series of 6 | Silk |
| Godfrey Phillips Ltd | British Butterflies | 1911 | Series of 30 | |
| Godfrey Phillips Ltd | British Butterflies | 1927 | Series of 25 | |
| Godfrey Phillips Ltd | British Butterflies | 1936 | Series of 25 | Transfer |
| Godfrey Phillips Ltd | Butterflies and Moths | 1922 | Series of 50 | Silk |
| Godfrey Phillips Ltd | Butterflies | 1911 | Series of 23 | Silk |
| John Player & Sons | British Butterflies | 1934 | Series of 25 | |
| John Player & Sons | Butterflies | 1932 | Series of 50 | |
| John Player & Sons | Butterflies | 1932 | Series of 50 | Transfer |
| John Player & Sons | Butterflies and Moths | 1904 | Series of 50 | |
| John Player & Sons (Grandee cigars) |
British Butterflies | 1983 | Series of 32 | |
| Westminster Tobacco | Butterflies and Moths | 1920 | Series of 50 | |
| W.D. & H.O. Wills | British Butterflies | 1927 | Series of 50 | |
| W.D. & H.O. Wills | Butterflies and Moths | 1938 | Series of 40 | |
| W.D. & H.O. Wills | Australian Butterflies ** | 1914 | Series of 50 | Silk |
| W.D. & H.O. Wills | New Zealand Butterflies, Moths & Beetles * | 1925 | Series of 50 | |
| ** Australian issue | ||||
| * New Zealand issue |
Many "non-tobacco" companies issued cards and in fact some still do e.g. Brooke
Bond tea. With the Editor's permission these could form the basis of another
article in a future newsletter.
David Badham
Footnote: Colin Marsay still has a few complete sets of the Grandee issue
available at £1.00. (Cheques payable to the Branch). He is also keen to receive
further spare cards to make up into sets. Colin's address is 36, Mantilla Drive,
Coventry, CV3 6LQ.
Calling all Photographers
We have decided this summer to run a butterfly photography
competition along similar lines to those organised by other BBCS branches. The
subject will be "British Butterflies (any stage of development) in their
natural habitat" and entry is open to all branch members who do not make more
than 10% of their living as a photographer. Photographs must be taken in 1985 in
natural surroundings in Britain and each member may submit up to six colour
prints (max. size 10" x 8"). There will be an entry fee of 50p per print and
cheques should be made out to the branch. Entries will be assessed by an outside
judge, who, as well as examining technical skill, will be looking for a "good
feel" of the butterfly and its surroundings. A cash prize will be awarded to the
three best photographs submitted, and it is hoped to present a trophy to the
overall winner. All entries will be displayed at an indoor meeting next Spring.
The closing date for entries will be 31st December, 1985 and a S.A.E (or label)
should be included if return of prints is required. Every care will be taken of
prints submitted, but the branch can take no responsibility for loss or damage
however caused. Further details will be in the Winter newsletter but, in the
meantime, get snapping!
We have heard of two processing laboratories which produce a good standard of
enlargement for around £1.50 each and you might find this an alternative to more
local but expensive studios:
Westminster Studios, Dept 1, 34 The Broadway, Crawley, Sussex RH10 1HG
Thomas Lister, PO Box 7. March St Ind Est, Peebles, Scotland EH45 8DD