Object: ARP cigarette cards, 1938

ARP card 1 - photo

ARP cigarette cards, W.D. & H.O. Wills, 1938 (LMILC.1994.122, gifted by Lila Reid)

Cigarette cards were a type of trading card, and were highly collectible. These ARP (Air Raid Precautions) cards were a pre-war initiative sanctioned by the government. They were part of a set of 50 which could be placed in an album, with a foreword included in the front by the Home Secretary, Samuel Hoare.

Information was included on the back of each card. The idea was that the cigarette cards would make people more aware of what to do when the looming war with Germany was declared. It was feared that air raids, gas attacks, and fires would become part of daily life.

ARP card back - photo

Back of the light trailer fire-pump cigarette card.

 

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