Many of the cigarette card sets had an album which was issued along with the set. These albums were designed to hold the cards. Unlike today's plastic pages, these are thick paper booklets, and the cards were supposed to be pasted into the albums. Some of the card sets came with adhesive backs to make them easier to paste into these albums. These albums usually cost one penny at the time of issue. They were available from the tobacco stores.
The albums contained a blank area for each of the cards to be pasted in, and the text on the card backs was repeated in the album so the text was not lost upon pasting the cards in.
Some cigarette companies issued generic albums, designed to hold any card set issued by that company. These albums contain spaces for the cards, but no descriptive text. Some of these albums came with corner holders so the cards could be placed in the album without pasting them down and damaging them.
These albums are very interesting and historic collectibles in their own right. They sometimes contain tidbits of information that provide additional insight into the card sets and the cigarette companies that issued them.
Vintage Albums For Sale (Cards Pasted Inside)
From time to time, these albums become available for sale. The following albums are currently available along with all the cards pasted inside:
Players Film Stars, 2nd Series (50 cards-Color-1934)
Album measures approximately 7 1/2" across, 5" tall.
Includes cards of Claudette Colbert, Jackie Cooper, Marion Davies, Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, Will Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck, Mae West.
Cards are in great condition, the album itself shows aging spots.
Price: $60
Album measures approximately 7 1/2" across, 5" tall. It sold for one penny when it was issued.
Includes cards of James Stewart, Charles Boyer, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Basil Rathbone, Norma Shearer.
Very nice condition.
Price: $80
Album measures approximately 7 1/2" across, 5" tall. It sold for one penny when it was issued.
Includes cards of James Stewart, Charles Boyer, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Basil Rathbone, Norma Shearer.
The cards in this album are mostly excellent, the album itself is in g-vg condition.
Price: $65
German Albums with Cards Pasted Inside
Bunte Filmbilder First Series (250-color borders, b&w photos-1930s) $125
Bunte Filmbilder Second Series (250-color borders, b&w photos-1930s) $125
Garbaty Moderne Schonheitsgalerie (300-color-1930s) $200
Garbaty Moderne Schonheitsgalerie, Second Series (300-color-1930s) $200
Jasmatzi Hansom Film Photos 1-168 (168-b&w-1930s) $110
Jasmatzi Hansom Film Photos, 337-504 (168-b&w-1930s) $110
Jasmatzi Hansom Film Photos, Filmserie 4, 505-672 (168-b&w-1930s) $110
Josetti Filmbilder 1-272 (272-b&w-1930s) - cover is very worn, but the inside pages and cards are all in great shape $80
Josetti Filmbilder 273-544 (272-b&w-1930s) - cover is very worn, but the inside pages and cards are all in great shape $80
Salem Bunten Filmbilder (275-color-1935) $130
Salem 211-420 Film Fotos (210-b&w-late 1920s or early 1930s) $140
Salem Goldfilm Serie 1 (180-color-1934) $110
Salem Goldfilm Serie 2 (270-color-1934) $125
Salem Filmbilder Album 2 (211-420 Film-Fotos) (210-b&w-late 1920s or early 1930s) $140
Denmark Albums with Cards Pasted Inside
Danmarks Films-Serie II (200-color-1930s) $160
Danmarks Film Serie (200-color-1948) $160
Canada Albums with Cards Pasted Inside
Maple Leaf Film Stars (Dutch Number in Circle set) (Color-1952) -
The album is worn but nice. There is a hand-made slipcover over the album containing some additional
cards pasted on. There are 86 cards pasted down in this album - there are spaces for 175. Some of the cards include
10 Roy Rogers cards, 3 Gene Autry, 3 Bob Hope, 2 Johnny Weissmuller, 2 Bing Crosby, 2 Gary Cooper, 2 Doris Day,
John Wayne, Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall, Clark Gable, and Bonzo.
Price: $100
Vintage Albums For Sale (No Cards Inside)
Bridgewater Film Stars (3rd Series)
Album measures 9 3/4" across, 5 5/8" tall.
This album contains placeholders for all the cards in the set. The cards were intended to be pasted into this album, though this album is unused. The name of each star is listed beneath their placeholder in the album. This album looks brand new.
Price: $60
Album measures 9 3/4" across, 5 5/8" tall.
This album contains corner slots to hold the cards so they don't have to be pasted in. This album is very interesting because there are text writeups below each slot designated for the cards. The actual Bridgewater 4th Series cards contain blank backs, so the text is unique to the album and not found on the cards. This album shows some wear, as it was probably once used to house the cards.
Price: $35
De Beukelaer Film Stars (701-800)
Album measures 11 1/2" across, 7 5/8" tall.
This album contains placeholders for all the cards in the set. The cards were intended to be pasted into this album. The name of each star is listed beneath their placeholder in the album. This album has been used, with the cards removed at some point.
Price: $40
Album measures 5 1/2" across, 6 1/4" tall.
This album wasn't designed to hold a particular set of cards, but had corner slots so any of the standard sized cards issued by Wills at that time could fit. This album contains corner slots to hold the cards so they don't have to be pasted in. There are 10 pages, with room for five cards per page. It sold for one penny when it was issued. This album is in great condition, it looks like it has never been used.
Price: $35
Album measures 8" across, 10" tall.
This album wasn't designed to hold a particular set of cards, but had corner slots so any of the large sized cards issued by Wills at that time could fit. This album contains corner slots to hold the cards so they don't have to be pasted in. There are 10 pages, with room for four cards per page. It sold for three-pence when it was issued. This album is in great condition, it looks like it has never been used.
Price: $35
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