1901 R.J. Hill / 1904 Cope’s Flags, Arms, and Types of All Nations Set and Checklist

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Cope’s / R.J. Hill Flags, Arms, and Types of All Nations
Year	1901 (R.J. Hill) and 1904 (Cope’s)
Size	1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
Images	Color
Type	Tobacco
Number in Set	24

1901 R.J. Hill / 1904 Cope’s Flags, Arms, and Types of All Nations Overview

1901 Cope 1904 RJ Hill Flags Arms and Types of Nations America U.S.

This set was issued by at least two tobacco branded products – R.J. Hill and Cope’s. The sets are parallel as each one includes the same cards. The R.J. Hill cards are generally cited as being a 1901 issue while Cope’s is credited as distributing these in 1904.

These cards featured colorful depictions of nations, including some sort of image as well as a country flag. It is almost entirely a non-sports set but includes one sports card as Card No. 1 depicts a female tennis player for Great Britain. As the sport originated in England, the link makes sense.

While that will generally be among the most interesting ones for sports collectors, Card No. 9 features a card with the Statue of Liberty for the United States. That card actually calls the country the United States of North America and is also one of the more desirable ones in the set.

Backs of the R.J. Hill cards have an advertisement for Black and White whiskey while backs of the Cope’s cards have an advertisement for Cope’s tobacco. Fronts of both sets of cards include a card number and the card number is the same for each card across both issues.

The cards are close to a standard, smaller tobacco size. However, at 1 1/2″, they are slightly wider than most issues.

Finally, of note, these same pictures were used on trade cards. Trade cards have been seen with the images on the fronts and advertising (or blank backgrounds).