I've recently started exploring a fascinating set of vintage Mitchell's Cigarettes cards from 1933. This particular series, focusing on notable figures from Scottish history, literature, and military life, is a treasure trove of cultural history. This first batch of ten cards introduces us to a diverse group—from philosophers and poets to queens and kings. They remind us how popular figures were once packaged for the masses, tucked inside a packet of cigarettes!
Let's dive into the first ten 'Great Scots' from this 50-card collection:
Philosophers and Writers
The collection highlights Scotland's incredible contributions to the world of thought and literature, featuring some of the Enlightenment's giants and later literary masters.
David Hume: Pictured with a thoughtful expression and a book, Hume is one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy. A key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, his empiricism and scepticism had a profound impact on fields ranging from metaphysics to economics.
Sir Walter Scott: The card shows the author of classics like Ivanhoe and Rob Roy sitting beside a dog. Scott was a hugely successful novelist and poet, often credited with popularizing the historical novel genre. His work played a major role in shaping the modern image of Scotland.
Sir James M. Barrie: The creator of Peter Pan, Sir James M. Barrie, is shown in a scene that looks like a formal gathering or a court setting. Barrie's enduring works, which blend fantasy and whimsy, secured his place as a beloved Scottish playwright and novelist.
James Thomson: Best known as the author of the lyrics to "Rule, Britannia!", Thomson was an influential poet and playwright of the 18th century. His works were instrumental in the development of the Romantic movement in poetry.
James Boswell: Pictured in a social setting, Boswell is famous for his detailed and compelling biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest biographers in the English language.
Royalty, Legend, and War
Other cards focus on figures whose lives were defined by power, conflict, or legend.
Mary Queen of Scots: The card features her portrait alongside an illustration that appears to show her contemplating a chess game or a map with two men. Mary's tumultuous life and tragic end are central to Scottish and British history, making her a compelling and popular historical figure.
The Marquis of Montrose: James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, was a staunch Royalist military commander during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. His card shows him in an outdoor, military-like scene, reflecting his career as a brilliant but ultimately tragic figure in Scottish civil war.
Donald Cameron (of Lochiel): Representing the fiercely independent spirit of the Highlands, Donald Cameron, the 19th Chief of Clan Cameron, was a major figure in the 1745 Jacobite Rising, a time of great upheaval for Scotland.
Sir John Moore: This card commemorates a great military leader. Sir John Moore was a distinguished British Army general, famous for his courageous and brilliant leadership during the Peninsular War, where he was killed at the Battle of Corunna.
What Can These Cards Tell Us?
More than just collecting historical portraits, this set gives us a glimpse into early 20th-century popular history. The fact that Mitchell's Cigarettes chose these particular figures shows the enduring cultural resonance of Scottish history and the importance of its literary and military heroes to the public imagination in the 1930s.
Keep an eye out for the next ten cards, as we continue to unpack the "Great Scots" series!
Clicking any of the cards should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
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