This vintage tobacco card features American silent and talkie film actress, Thelma Todd (1906-1935). She was also a businesswoman. Her nicknames included “The Ice Cream Blonde” and “Hot Toddy”. She appeared in about 120 feature films and shorts between 1926 and 1935. She was known for her comedienne talent. Among the performers she worked with are the Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy, and Buster Keaton. In 1934 she opened a restaurant in Los Angeles with two partners. In 1935 she was found dead in her Lincoln automobile. The car was in a garage and had died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Her death was ruled to be accidental but there was much speculation about whether she committed suicide or had been murdered. This cigarette card was published by Godfrey Philips Ltd. The firm was a British tobacco importer and manufacturer of cigars and Cigarettes. The business was established in 1844 and was one of the first tobacco companies to issue cigarette cards. Their first set was published in 1904. The cards were meant to stiffen cigarette packaging, to serve as a collectible, and to advertise the cigarette brand. This cigarette card was issued in 1934. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features five men in their hiking attire. They certainly don’t seem to be wearing very comfortable clothing for a hike. I hope there was no scrambling or navigating slippery portions of the trail required. If so, their suit pants won’t have a long life span. Other than wearing clothing that may hamper their efforts, the men are well equipped with binoculars and walking sticks. The men have cases for the binoculars and the gentleman all the way on the left has a larger bag slung over his shoulder. The men are also well supplied with smoking materials. Two of the men have cigarettes/cigars and two others are holding a pipe. Interestingly, mustaches must have been in vogue considering that each of the men are wearing one. Hats must have been equally popular. It would be fascinating to know the story of this gathering of outdoorsmen. The former owner of this image believes that the men are tourists, but he offers no supporting evidence. This vintage photo postcard is in very good condition (see scans).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 