The Kangaroo Valley Historical Society has a collection of about 500 cigarette cards acquired from local donations. Collection categories include Cricketers, Britain’s Defenders, US Naval Vessels, War Incidents, Fish of Australia, Recruiting Posters, Flag Girls of all Nations, and Types of Commonwealth Forces.
From Wikipedia:
“Between 1875 and the 1940s, cigarette companies often included collectible cards with their packages of cigarettes. Cigarette card sets document popular culture from the turn of the century, often depicting the period’s actresses, costumes, and sports, as well as offering insights into mainstream humour and cultural norms.”
Cigarette cards are no longer produced so are now historical items. Most of the cigarette cards in the Historical Society have come from H. O. Wills and Capstan cigarette manufacturers.
Here are some of the Historical Society collection:
VICTORIA CROSS HEROES
Lieutenant Norman Holbrook RN (Royal Navy) gave his name to the town of Holbrook in NSW where, in a local museum, there is an Oberon Class Submarine HMAS OTWAY on show.
It should be noted that Holbrook is halfway between Sydney and Melbourne on the Hume Highway and nowhere near the sea.
Visit Wikipedia for further information on the history of the naming of the town Holbrook.
CRICKETERS
This is English First Class cricketer Gilbert Laird Osborne Jessop, who is the son of Gilbert Jessop Snr and Millicent Annie Osborne (daughter of Alick and Isabel Osborne of Barrengarry). Gilbert Jessop Snr and Millicent met when travelling to England from Australia. The couple married in 1902.
If you think you can help scanning documents, record books and documents in our library, please email us at hello@KangarooValleyHistory.com
