W.D & H.O Wills: Bezique - 1930s

A truly special and rare Bezique set in immaculate condition, produced by Mardon, Sons and Hall for W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1933. Card games like this were originally given as gifts after people were able to collect sets of mini cigarette cards. 

Tobacco companies have been including insert cards since the 1870s, making collecting cigarette cards a popular hobby then and still for some today. Initially, these cards served as "stiffeners" in packs to protect the cigarettes. However, they quickly became a way to advertise cigarettes and other products. In 1933, WD & HO Wills, a founding company of the Imperial Tobacco Company, expanded this concept by offering a promotion where collectors could exchange complete miniature playing card packs for other desirable card items.

One deck of the set is still sealed in its original Marden, Sons and Hall paper wrapper and the open deck is perfect. Does not include score cards but we do have a set which would complement this one well (see here). Grade 1 under the Hoyles Vintage Grading System.