Is it a cigarette card or not???

[1424]

I have about 30 State Express they look like cards but paper of very early Ardath Photogravures in Blak & White.
Gainborough series
Boucher Series
Rahel Series
What are they, are they cigarette cards even thou they are paper??

[stewey]

All cigarette cards which I have come across have been in colour and made of cardboard. Could they be B/W photocopies? Are the edges rounded, or do they appear to have been cut out with a pair of scissors? Do they have text on the reverse side?

[1424]

Yes they have been cut out , on the reverse it has :
State Express cigarettes, then goes on about the rigorously care in manufacture ect:
At the bottom it states on Ardath Tobacco Co LTD

[stewey]

Reading you question again I see that you mention 'photogravures', so I guess they would be black and white. The fact that they have text on the back kind of suggests that they might not be copies. How thick is the paper: like writing paper, or the thickness of a cigarette pack? If I were you I would Google 'cigarette cards' and the company. Hope you find out. Some of those old cards are really interesting.

[1424]

I would say the thickness is about like " Photo Paper", there is some foxing on some, as I have said they all have writing on the back so they are real whatever they are.
Thankyou, I will try what you suggest.
kindest regards
john

[stewey]

I just did a quick google myself: all kinds of sites. Here's one to start with.

http://www.franklyncards.com/one/ardath.htm

[1424]

Thanks for that ,I did look and they seem to be from 1913-1917 as they are Photogravures of Famous Artists, so they are quite old and they maybe collectable!