Toy Soldiers, It's all in the Cards - Cigarette Cards that is

Encompassed within the broad yet still rather esoteric field of militaria, is the sub category of books and ephemera. The books include not just the obvious, critically important reference and identification documents, but such things as regimental/unit histories. Ephemera are such items as commissions, personal correspondence, operational orders, and after-action reports, to name just a few. It also includes, of all things, military subject oriented cigarette cards.

As some may already know, cigarette cards originated in the United States beginning in 1875, with the dual purpose of stiffening the packaging in order to provide protection from bending the cigarettes, and as a form of advertisement for a specific company’s product. The originating company was Allen & Ginter Tobacco Company, and another named Goodwin & Company, soon followed. This novel form of advertising very quickly spread across the Atlantic Ocean to Great Britain. Apparently as addictive as the product they contained, a company in England, by the name of W.D. & H.O. Wills incorporated the idea into their packages in 1887. Those readers who might be interested further in the history and development of the cigarette card in the United States may want to go to the following web site; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_card .

As a hobby in and of itself, the collecting of cigarette cards is known as Cartophily, obviously derived and akin to the hobby of philately, the collection of postage stamps. 

However, the principle intention of this article is to explore a parallel development in the United Kingdom, specifically all the card series which focused on a military theme. One of the first companies in the UK was W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1887 (or 1888), followed by John Player & Sons in 1893, and Thomas Ogden in 1894  It was in 1895 that the Wills company introduced a set titled Ships & Soldiers. Some of the earliest cards were printed on silk, then backed with paper. This practice was discontinued during World War II, apparently to save paper, and never reintroduced thereafter.  Production ceased with all companies during both World War I and II, with the government citing shortage of materials, as well as being a potential open source of intelligence to the enemy.

In addition to the ‘American Card Catalog’ (ACC) there is The World Tobacco Index (WTI) published by the Cartophilic Society of Great Britain (CSGB), using an alphanumeric index system based on manufacturer’s names. This will give the reader some indication as to how serious collectors are about their hobby in and of itself. As is the case with stamps, rarity, set completeness, and condition enter into their evaluation.

While Wills and other British tobacco companies published cards with military subjects, it was John Player & Sons that soon emerged with card sets which incorporated the most accurate research, colours, diversity of subjects, format, and quality of printing.

As Player continued to refine the research, diversity of military and naval subjects, and quality, of their cards, they rapidly gained the respect and desirability with collectors of militaria. It naturally follows they also gained a significance portion, if not the preponderance of the market, both for their cards, as well as their cigarettes.

There are a range of methods in which to display a set of cards. The company even published small blank collectors albums for each set, as well as an adhesive (to be moistened) on the back of each card. As the description of each card was printed on its back, a duplicate was printed on each page, adjacent to the space designated for the cards, in order that the information was not lost. Another popular means of display are specifically compartmented clear plastic three-ring binder page which shows both the front and back. A variant on clear plastic pages is a small clear acrylic storage box, sized precisely to accommodate up to one hundred cards. Still another method is matting in a frame with spaces dimensioned for each card in a set, with a pane of glass on both front and back. Obviously this is a quite expensive investment, given the current price of framing, and thus limited to a particularly unique, valuable, and attractive set of cards.

The following images show such a display format for a set of Wills cigarette cards depicting the ranks and uniforms of the Royal Navy from the turn of the Twentieth century in the author's private collection. The set published in 1909, is No. 50 titled Naval Dress and Badges. Author's apologies for the glare of the camera flash, it's slightly better, but segmented in the last two images. 

Some of the sets of cards have become reference standards for collectors, becoming a convenient source for the detailed correct colours, uniforms, badges, accoutrements, and armament for regiments of the British Army, Territorial Army, and units of the contemporary British Commonwealth. They provided the same range of accurate information for the ships and uniforms of the Royal Navy, aircraft and uniforms of the Royal Air Force, and historical uniforms as well. For those readers who may want to specifically determine the range of military oriented sets, as well as others, and a fairly recent evaluation (2003) of their value, please refer to; http://www.cigarettecards.co.uk/valueplayers.htm 

The following image depicts a complete set of John Player & Sons cards containing  all of the attributes discussed in the previous paragraph, are consequently very popular and sought after by collectors of toy soldiers and military miniatures. This set published in 1939 is No.50 titled Uniforms of the Territorial Army. Another set that is very popular shows an equal range of soldiers of the then contemporary British Commonwealth of nations.

Unfortunately following World War II, due to the combination of rationing and high cost of raw materials, cigarette cards never returned. Consequently much like the case of W. Britains Ltd. toy soldiers two decades later, becoming instant antiques, with a few exceptions. Black Cat and Carreras Cigarettes are known to have been producing cards into the 1970s (Wills until 1965).

Wireless Sets of the 1st Airborne Division at Operation Market-Garden

One perspective on a military operation can be to view it as an equilateral triangle, or Venn diagram, with the three points of the triangle, or circles of the diagram, being; 1. Communications, 2. Logistics, and 3. Intelligence, hopefully with all three elements in equilibrium. However, as seen by the ranking, without effective communications any military operation is in immediate peril.

During Operation Market-Garden all three elements were found to be seriously wanting, obviously placing the operational field commanders in serious peril from the outset of the operation. In his official after-action report MajGen Robert E. “Roy” Urquhart, O.C. British 1^stAirborne Division, was particularly vehement in his criticism of field communications. A direct quote:

“242. Royal Signals.

Communications within the Airborne Division and to the Base and the next higher formation need drastic revision and improvement. The sets at present in use are not satisfactory in all cases. The range attributed to sets was nearly always found to be greatly exaggerated.” (Author’s note: Given the English propensity toward understatement I would say that this is a comprehensively damning assessment.)

The basic radios in use during the operation were the Wireless Sets No.22, No.19HP,  No.18, No.68P, No.68 R/T, No.38 Mk II, and Wireless Sender no.76. The XXI Independent Company (Pathfinders) had their No.38 sets withdrawn just two weeks before the operation, and replaced with the vastly superior Wireless Set No.42.

A detailed analysis of communications during Operation Market-Garden can be found in this blog on page; https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/operation-market-garden.html. Scroll down to 41. Liaison with main forces. Also specifically see; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011/04/communications-at-battle-of-arnhem.html. Within that article there is reference made to the following excellent in-depth assessment; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1470243042000344777.

This specific article however, is only intended to provide the reader with a limited set of images and a brief set of specifications for the above listed wireless sets used during Operation Market-Garden, the Battle of Arnhem/Oosterbeek. Acknowledgement and gratitude are given to www.radiomuseum.org for images and information on the sets from their web site. 

Wireless Set No.22

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.22 [Military] 

For model Wireless Set No.22, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Country: Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1942 

Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes:13:ARP34 ARDD5 VT52 VT52 VT52 ARP12 ARP12 ARP12

ARP12 ARP12 AR8 CV65 AR8

Main principle:  Transceiver

Wave bands:   ZF/IF 465 kHz

Short Wave (SW only) 

Details:

Power type and voltage:  Storage Battery for all

 (e.g. for car radios and amateur radios) / 12 Volt 

Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org:

Model: Wireless Set No.22 - MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material: Metal case 

Shape:  Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set). 

Dimensions (WHD): 17.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inch / 445 x 216 x 343 mm
Range (Maximum): Voice 5 mi, Morse 20 mi. 

Notes:

Wireless Set No.22: double band transceiver covering 2-4,5 and 4,5-8 MHz, pout CW 1,5 Watts, telephony 1 Watt. Set consists of the transceiver itself and a separate power supply unit, the set is powered from 12 V (car) accumulator for heaters and driving a vibrator power supply for HT 300V at 80 mA.The set was intended as a primary vehicle station with facilities for quick removal from the vehicle to be used as a ground station.The general appearance, dimensions and frequency range resemble Wireless Set 19, but the set is technically completely different. A similar set has been produced in Australia as Wireless Set No.22 (Austr) or Wireless Set No.122 respectively. 

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg):  36.5 lb (36 lb 8 oz) / 16.571 kg 

Mentioned in Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Set No.19HP

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.19HP [Military] 

For model Wireless Set No.19HP, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Country: Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1942

Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes: 15: 6K7G 6K8G 6K7G ARP35 or EF50 ARDD5 or EB34 ATS25 or 807 CV6 6K7G 6K7G 6V6G 6K7G 6V6G

Main principle:  Transceiver; Superheat with RF-stage; ZF/IF 465 kHz; 1 AF stage(s) 

Wave bands: 'A' setting 2-8 MHz, 'B' Setting 229-241 MHz Master Oscillator controlled.

Details:

Power type and voltage:  Wet Storage Battery (rechargeable) for all

 (e.g. for car radios and amateur radios) / 12 Volt 

Power output: 30 watts
Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org: RF output: 'A' setting 2.5-9 watts

Model: Wireless Set No.19HP - MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material: Metal case 

Shape:  Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set). 

Dimensions (WHD): Sender/receiver -17.5 x 8.5 x 12.255 inch / 445 x 210 x 311 mm; supply unit - 6 x 8.25 x 12.5 (152mm x 210 x 318 mm)
Range (Maximum): Voice 25 mi. 

Notes:
Only 2 sets employed by the Light Regiment RA at the Battle of Arnhem/Oosterbeek.

Wireless Set No. 19 Mark II: military double band transceiver used for communications between armoured vehicles and later general use; comes with three functional units in one cabinet: A set (shortwave communications), B set (VHF near range communications), on-board intercom. A set: AM (1,5 - 2,5 W), MCW and CW (3 - 5 W), covers 2 - 8 MHz in two ranges (2-4,5 / 4,5 - 8 MHz), two mechanical presets. B set: VHF (telephony, 0,4 W) in the range 229 - 241 MHz. Pye introduced the W.S. 19 MK I transceiver in 1941, because of the frequency coverage of the A-set appeared to be too narrow, the MK II was introduced in 1942 with a coverage 2,0 to 8 MHz, split in two ranges. Later a special dial knob was introduced for easier tuning, which came with the Wireless Set 19 MK III, but was often mounted on the MK II sets.

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg): 86.25 lb (39.12 kg)
Literature/Schemetics: Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Set No.18 

Country: Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1940 

Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes:  6: AR8 ATP4 ARP12 ARP12 ARP12 AR8

Main principle: Transceiver

Wave bands:  ZF/IF 465 kHz

Short Wave (SW only) 

Details:

Power type and voltage:  Dry Batteries / 150 & 3 Volt 

Loudspeaker: - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org:  Model:Wireless Set No.18– 

MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material:  Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material 

Shape:  Portable set > 8 inch (also usable without mains) 

Dimensions (WHD):  10.5 x 17.5 x 11 inch / 267 x 445 x 279 mm
Range (Maximum): Voice 4.8 mi., Morse 9.6 mi.  

Notes:

Wireless set No. 18: Short range man-pack transceiver covering 6 – 9 MHz, AM (A3) (CW, only in sets Mk.II / Mk.III), pout 0,25 Watt telephony; powered by LT 3 V and HT 150 V dry batteries; used by British Army for short range communications between company and battalion HQ or carried as man-pack on march; The original Wireless Set No.8 was produced around 1940, production was changed from the heavy steel cabinet to a lighweight version becoming the Wireless Set 18. Very similar sets have been produced in USA (Wireless Set No.48), in Canada (Wireless Set No.58) and Australia (Wireless Set No.108) In 1943, a low frequency variant has been developed, it became Wireless Set No.68.

Mentioned in:  Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Set No.68 P

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.68 [Military]

For model Wireless Set No.68 P, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model):
From the collection of Royal Signals Museum, Blandford

Country:

Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1943 

Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes: 6:AR8 ATP4 ARP12 ARP12 ARP12 AR8

Main principle:  Transceiver

ZF/IF 465 kHz 

Wave bands:  Short Wave (SW only) 

Details:

Power type and voltage: Dry Batteries / 150 & 12 & 3 Volt 

Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org:

Model:Wireless Set No.68 P- MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material:  Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material 

Shape:  Portable set > 8 inch (also usable without mains) 

Dimensions (WHD):  11 x 17.5 x 10.5 inch / 279 x 445 x 267 mm
Range (Maximum): Voice 4.8 mi., Morse 9.6 mi. 

Notes:

Wireless set No. 68 P: Short range man-pack transceiver covering1,75 - 2,9 MHz,AM (A3 (CW), pout 0,25 Watt telephony; powered by LT 3 V, 12 V

GB and HT 150 V dry battery (battle battery); used by British Army for short range communications between company and battalion HQ or carried as a man-pack on march; The low frequency variant of the of the Wireless Set No.68 was used for short range communications in airborne and parachute units and with combined operations. Variant R and variant P are higher frequency variants of an improved Wireless Set No.18 with it's orginal frequency of 6 - 9 Mhz.

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg):  32 lb (32 lb 0 oz) / 14.528 kg 

Mentioned in: Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Set No.68 R / T

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.68 [Military]

For model Wireless Set No.68 R / T, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model):
From the collection of Royal Signals Museum, Blandford

 Country:

Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1943 

Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes: 6:AR8 ATP4 ARP12 ARP12 ARP12 AR8

Main principle:  Transceiver

ZF/IF 465 kHz 

Wave bands:  Short Wave (SW only) 

Details:

Power type and voltage: Dry Batteries / 150 & 12 & 3 Volt 

Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org:

Model:Wireless Set No.68 [R / T]- MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material:  Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material 

Shape:  Portable set > 8 inch (also usable without mains) 

Dimensions (WHD):  11 x 17.5 x 10.5 inch / 279 x 445 x 267 mm
Range (Maximum): Voice 4.8 mi., Morse 9.6 mi. 

Notes:

Wireless set No. 68 R / T: Short range man-pack transceiver covering 3 - 5,2

MHz, AM (A3) (CW), pout 0,25 Watt telephony; powered by LT 3 V, 12 V

GB and HT 150 V dry battery (battle battery); used by British Army for

short range communications between company and battalion HQ or carried

as man-pack on march; In 1943, a low frequency variant of the original

Wireless Set No.18 with optional crystal frequency control was produced,

it became Wireless Set No.68 and was used for short range communications

in airborne and parachute units and with combined operations.

The variant R is semi tropicalised, followed by the 1944 tropicalised variant

Wireless Set No.68T which came with a different aerial base. A low frequency

variant is the Wireless Set 68P. 

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg):  32 lb (32 lb 0 oz) / 14.528 kg 

Mentioned in: Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Set No.38 Mk II

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.38 [Military]

Select picture or schematic to display from thumbnails on the right and click for download.

For model Wireless Set No.38 Mk II, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Country:
Great Britain (UK)

Year: 1941
Category: Military Equipment 

Valves / Tubes:   5: ARP12 ARP12 ARP12 ARP12 ATP4

Main principle:  Transceiver; ZF/IF 285 kHz 

Tuned circuits:   6 AM circuit(s)

Wave bands:    Short Wave (SW only) 

Details:

Power type and voltage:   Dry Batteries / 3 & 150 Volt 

Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out        2 W (unknown quality) 

from Radiomuseum.org: Model: Wireless Set No.38 [Mk II]

- MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material:         Metal case 

Shape:Very small Portable or Pocket-Set (Handheld) < 8 inch.
Range (Maximum): Voice 2 mi.

Notes:
Wireless set No. 38: Short range man-pack transceiver covering 7,3 – 9

MHz, AM (A3), pout 0,2 Watt telephony; powered by LT 3 V and HT 150 V
dry batteries; used by British Army for short range communications in infantry
patrols and for infantry tank communications; the set is connected to the battery
in the haversack, to the throat microphone and headphones by means of a Junction Box. 

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg): 22 lb (22 lb 0 oz) / 9.988 kg 

Literature/Schematics:  Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

Wireless Sender no.76

   Country: Great Britain (UK
   Manufacturer/Brand: MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)     

   Year: 1943       Category: Military Equipment

   Valves/Tubes:  3: ATS25 ATS25 5U4G

   Main Principle:Transmitter (only)

   Wave bands:Short Wave (SW only)

   Details:

   Power type and Voltage:Line / Storage batteries (perhaps also batteries) / 230 / 12 Volt

   Loudspeaker:  - No sound reproduction output.

   Power out

   from

   Radiomuseum.org:Model: Wireless Sender no.76 - MILITARY U.K. different makers 

   Material:Metal case

   Shape:Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set).

   Dimensions (WHD):12 x 8.25 x 12.25 inch / 305 x 210 x 311 m
   Range (Nominal): Arnhem to London 260.40 mi.

   Notes:

  Wireless Set no.76: long distance CW transmitter covering six crystal controlled channels in the 2 – 12 MHz range, CW (A1), pout 9 Watts. The station can be powered by 12V DC (two 6V accumulators 40 Ah), 500 HT is generated by a rotary transformer in Power Supply Unt No.18; for main operation supply Unit, Rectifier No.14 is used. For standard use, a Aerial 110 ft, No.1 is used. The horizontal wire is supported by two 12 foot masts. Wireless Set No.76 is a easily transportable long range CW transmitter for hand operated CW communications, in earlier days, a receiver R109 has been used in conjunction with the Wireless Set No.76, after WWII, this has been replaced by a R209. To maintain contact from troops to British Airborne Division Headquarters (“Rear Link”), for BBC War correspondents and reports from outposts to the War Office, a long distance CW transmitter was needed. After having used the Admiralty Transmitter 5G, the SRDE developed Wireless Set No.X66 in 1942 and the final version Wireless Set No.76 has been introduced in 1943, 2500 sets have been built. They have been used in parachute drops as well as animal packed, Wireless Set No.76T stands for the tropicalised version.
Net weight (2.2 lb =1 kg): 30 lb(30 lb 0 oz)/13.620 kg

Mentioned in:Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

      Wireless Set No.42 

MILITARY U.K.: Wireless Set No.42 [Military] 

Select picture or schematic to display from thumbnails on the right and click for download.

For model Wireless Set No.42, MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model):

Photograph via Anton Kroes, PE1JAS, The Netherlands

Country: Great Britain (UK)

Manufacturer / Brand: 

MILITARY U.K. (different makers for same model)

Year: 1945 

Category: Military Equipment
Valves/Tubes: All miniaturized components; valves/tubes, if any, undetermined

Main principle: Transceiver

ZF/IF 500 kHz 

Wave bands:  Short Wave (SW only) 

Details

Power type and voltage:  Storage Battery for all (e.g. for car radios and

amateur radios) / 12 Volt 

Loudspeaker:  - For headphones or amp. 

Power out

from Radiomuseum.org:  Model: Wireless Set No.42

- MILITARY U.K. different makers

Material:  Metal case 

Shape:  Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set). 

Dimensions (WHD):  12 x 8 x 8 inch / 305 x 203 x 203 mm
Range: (Maximum): Voice 7.2 mi. 

Notes:

Wireless Set No.42: shortwave band transceiver covering 1,6-12,8 MHz in three

ranges (1,6-3,3 / 3,2-6,4 / 6,4-12,8 MHz), AM (A3), CW (A1), FM (F3), pout CW/

FM 10 Watts, telephony 5 Watt. Set consists of the transceiver itself which can be
powered from separate power supply unit No.34 (for 12 V accumulator use) or a
foldable pedal generator and Accessory Case. The Wireless Set No.42 is hermeticaly
sealed and developed for use in extreme climatic conditions as man pack, animal
mounted or vehicle stations.

Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg):  24 lb (24 lb 0 oz) / 10.896 kg 

Mentioned in:  Wireless for the Warrior Vol. 1, L. Meulstee

The Wireless Set No.42 was sufficiently advanced for the day, that additional discussion of its development is believed merited.