WW1 Cavalry Regimental Uniforms Horses Lancers Artillery Cossacks Russian Hussars John Player & Son Cigarette Cards

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The huge revolution in firepower was not matched by similar advances in mobility. That’s why horses were still widely used in WW1. The first standard issue military tanks did not join the war effort till quite late, and even those were very experimental and caused almost as much damage to the exhaust fume poisoned operatives as they did to the enemy.

John Player and Sons issued a number of beautifully illustrated military card sets leading up to and towards the beginning of WW1. This particular set is devoted to cavalry regiments and, judging by the unusual large size of the cards, would have been issued in the extra big packets. The bumper packets were not as popular as the regular packets, explaining why these cards are quite scarce. As with the early movie studios, the card issuers were reluctant to reveal the names of their artists. They feared that their staff would ask for more money if they became celebrities in their own right. However, attitudes changed as the pressures of the free market took effect.

John Player and Son, Regimental Uniforms, 1914 (10 extra large cards)

Includes:Belgian Army - 4th Regiment of Lancers, French Army - Artillery, Belgian Army - 2nd Chasseurs a Cheval, French Army - Spahi, French Army - Chasseurs a Cheval, Indian Army - 26th King George's Own Light Cavalry - Late 1st Madras Lancers, 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers Watson's Horse - Late 13th Duke of Connaught's Bengal Lancers, Indian Army - Imperial Cadet Corps, Russian Army - Officer of Hussars, Russian Army - Trumpeter - Cossack of the Guard

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Pre WW1 Army Life: Manned Kite, Hot Air Balloon, Wireless Telegraphy (Early Radio) on Cigarette Cards

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This is one of the few military card sets issued just before WW1. It includes an unusual manned kite, designed by the aviator Mr. SF Cody, and shows a hot air balloon being used for observation. One card features an early Holt Caterpillar steam tractor, which inspired the designs of the first ever standard issue military tanks of WW1. Wireless telegraphy (radio communication) was quite new when this set was issued and one card features a field telegraph office, which looks like a small tent. Several cards show that horses were still widely used, although a motor car makes an appearance on card no. 23.

Army Life, John Player and Sons, 1910, 25 cards

Includes:Bringing in Wounded Man,Field Waggons,War Kite Drill (manned kit or man-lifting kite),Laying a Field Telegraph Line,Firing from a Gun Pit,Pitching Tents,Watering Horses,Filtering Water,Field Telegraph Officer (Radio Communication),Jumping with Led Horses,Bayonet Fighting,Lamp Signalling,Map Reading Class, Picking Up Wounded,Cyclist Scout Section,Unpacking Waggons,Mechanical Transport Section (Caterpillar Steam Tractor (Designed by Benjamin Holt)- Inpspiration for WW1 Tanks),Lance versus Sword,Making Gas for War Baloons,Filling War Baloons,Searchlight Section,Baloon Drill,Starting the Engine,Presentation of Long Service Medals,Flag Signalling

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Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you found it interesting!