Telopea speciosissima (Waratah) from Australian Wildflowers cigarette cards, 1913

Printed silk with paper backing

Presented by WD & HO Wills, Sydney 1916

581.99 / W

Cigarette cards were produced to stiffen flimsy cigarette packaging and to advertise cigarette brands. Originally produced as individual cards, they were produced in sets by the 1890s. This set features 50 cards.

Most commonly made from paper, the cards were also made from other materials such as silk, satin and lace. The images were printed onto fabric with a paper backing often added to give rigidity.

Collectors were encouraged to make objects for home decoration such as cushion covers from their silk cards.