Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Wills Lawn Tennis
Year	1931
Size	2″ x 3″
Images	Color
Type	Tobacco
Number in Set	25

1931 Wills Lawn Tennis Set Overview

This short set of tennis greats was printed by the Imperial Tobacco company for its Wills brand of tobacco products.

The issue features tennis players from around the globe and is headlined by the legendary Bill Tilden and Helen Wills-Moody. Other key cards are found here, too, including one of Rene Lacoste, who would go on to create the Lacoste brand of clothing.

The cards are unique for their day as tobacco issues. Instead of a narrow vertical design, the cards are shaped more like a true square, similar to the American gum and candy cards of the 1930s, such as Goudey’s releases.

Most UK tobacco issues from the 1930s are very common and, as a result, not very expensive. However, this set is an exception with cards being relatively rare. Stars from the set can easily sell for over $100.

The set was reprinted in 1988 with a mention of that reprint at the bottom on the backs. Reprints are commonly seen today as this is a popular set.

1931 Wills Lawn Tennis Set Checklist

1. Wilmer Allison
2. Fraulein Cilli Aussem
3. Bunny Austin
4. Jean Borotra
5. Jacques Brugnon
6. Henri Cochet
7. Ian Collins
8. Edith Cross
9. Lili D’Alvarez
10. Dr. Colin Gregory
11. George Patrick Hughes
12. Helen jacobs
13. Charles Kingsley
14. Rene Lacoste
15. Joan Fry / T.A. Lakeman
16. H. G. N. Lee
17. Randolph Lycett
18. Betty Nuthall
19. Joan Ridley
20. Elizabeth Ryan
21. Bill Tilden
22. John Van Ryn
23. Holcroft Watson
24. Fearnley Whitingstall
25. Helen Wills-Moody

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