We've reached the end of our exploration into the captivating 1933 Mitchell's Cigarettes "Great Scots" collection. This final block of ten figures brings us face-to-face with the men and women who shaped Scotland's religious, military, and exploratory past, providing a fitting conclusion to a century-spanning historical survey printed on humble tobacco cards.
God, Glory, and Generals
This final group is dominated by figures from military command and religious reform who fundamentally altered the course of Scottish history.
King David I: The card portrays the 12th-century King of Scotland, likely overseeing an architectural project alongside a monk. Known as "the Saint" for his devotion, David I was a transformative figure who introduced feudalism and established many of Scotland's great abbeys and burghs (towns), fundamentally modernizing the country and laying the foundations for its medieval kingdom.
John Knox: The central figure of the Scottish Reformation, Knox's card shows him preaching in a kirk. His relentless efforts established Presbyterianism in Scotland, permanently changing the country's religious and political landscape.
Earl Haig (Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig): A highly recognizable contemporary figure in 1933, Haig was a senior officer during the First World War, serving as Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from 1915. His card, showing him on horseback, celebrates his prominent, though controversial, military legacy.
Sir Ralph Abercromby: A distinguished British lieutenant-general, Sir Ralph Abercromby is known for his successful military campaigns, particularly in the West Indies and Egypt, where he was mortally wounded in 1801. His card depicts a cavalry charge, capturing the action of his command.
Lord Heathfield (George Augustus Eliott, Baron Heathfield): A famous general known for successfully defending Gibraltar during the Great Siege (1779–1783). His card shows him on horseback, giving orders on the battlefield, a clear nod to his military prowess.
David Leslie (Lord Newark): A formidable military commander during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Leslie commanded the Covenanter army. His card is a dramatic depiction of a cavalry engagement, celebrating his strategic skill.
The Explorer and the Administrator
This section highlights the global reach of Scottish achievement, from the frozen poles to the political machinations of the Covenanters.
Sir James Clark Ross: A renowned naval officer and polar explorer. His card shows him in an icy environment with colleagues, commemorating his vital work mapping the magnetic North Pole and exploring Antarctica.
The Earl of Loudoun (John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun): A nobleman and military officer, he was an important figure during the mid-18th century, particularly as a commander during the French and Indian War in North America. His card shows him in a scene of deliberation or planning with other officials.
The Women and Writer
The collection concludes by showcasing influential women and one of the greatest storytellers of the Victorian age.
Jane, Duchess of Gordon: An influential social and political figure in 18th-century Scotland, the Duchess was a famous society hostess and an effective recruiter for the Gordon Highlanders regiment. Her card features her in elegant attire, greeting and encouraging recruits, highlighting her role in military life.
Robert Louis Stevenson: The author of timeless classics like Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. His card shows him traveling with a donkey, reminiscent of his travel writing, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, and capturing his spirit of adventure.
The Complete "Great Scots" Collection: A 1933 Time Capsule
Completing this 50-card set reveals something profound about what Mitchell's Cigarettes considered the "Essential Scotland" in 1933.
The collection is a near-perfect blend:
Foundational Leaders: Wallace, Bruce, Macbeth, King David I.
Literary & Intellectual Giants: Hume, Scott, Burns, R.L.S., Barrie, Carlyle.
Architects of Change: Knox, James Watt, William Paterson.
Rebels & Cavaliers: Montrose, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Flora MacDonald.
Military & Naval Heroes: Earl Haig, Sir John Moore, Duncan of Camperdown.
Influential Women: Mary Queen of Scots, Lady Anne MacIntosh, Jane, Duchess of Gordon.
These cards are small paper windows into the collective memory of Scotland, showing how national identity was communicated to the masses during the inter-war period.
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