Tobacco Advertising

W.D. & H.O. Wills was a British tobacco importer and cigarette manufacturer formed in Bristol, England. The company pioneered canteens for the workers, free medical care, sports facilities and paid holidays. Their first brand was "Bristol", made at the London factory from 1871 to 1974. "Three Castles" and "Gold Flake" followed in 1878 and "Woodbine" ten years later. "Embassy" was introduced in 1914 and relaunched in 1962 with coupons.
In 1887, Wills were one of the first UK tobacco companies to include advertising cards in their packs of cigarettes, but it wasn't until 1895 that they produced their first general interest set of cards ('Ships and Sailors'). Other Wills sets include 'Aviation' (1910), 'British Butterflies' (1927), 'Garden Flowers' (1933) and 'Air Raid Precautions' (1938).


[Wikipedia]