Knowledge & Resources
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Explore the incredible world of antique and vintage cigarette cards and antique tobacco silks
Discover the amazing history of puzzles - from dissected maps to custom jig-saw masterpieces
Cigarette Cards (and "Tea" or "Trade" Cards) are currently best known, and collected, in the UK
They are popular for their extensive range of subjects, exceptional artwork, interesting trivia, and collectibility
What are "Cigarette Cards"?
"Cigarette Cards" were developed by Allen & Ginter (American Tobacco - Virginia) in the late 1800's. These cards had various topics of interest – including the first Baseball Card sets (e.g. T206 - Honus Wagner).
Due to their exceptional popularity, companies around the world adopted the concept and they continued to be popular until WWII (when most production ended).
Topps (baseball card brand) revived the Allen & Ginter imprint (and the Cigarette Card size) for new and reproduction sets starting in 2006.
These cards continue to be premier collectibles today.
Tobacco Silks are valued for their unique, historical, and vivid images spanning a broad array of topics
They provide insight into the culture, style, and humor of the 1900's — e.g. the "Zira Girls" and "Bathing Beauties"
https://www.antiquequilthistory.com/cigarette-silks-and-quilts.html
What are "Tobacco Silks"?
"Tobacco Silks" were created in the early 1900's and included with product packaging or exchanged for coupons to attract buyers.
"These Artistic Silk Pictures will be much appreciated by Ladies for decorating fancy articles, worked with crewel silk or crochet cotton."
They have several sizes, materials, and topics and were popular between the early 1900's and the start of WWI (production ended).
Tobacco Silks can be loose or attached to cards and are best known for their history as colorful and unique Quilt making materials.
Antique and vintage puzzles have a rich history including "dissected maps" (late 1700's) - and wood jig-saw puzzles crafted for Depression Era entertainment.
In those days, people would Rent puzzles - and only the wealthy could afford to Buy them.
https://www.oldpuzzles.com/history-techniques-styles/jigsaw-puzzles-brief-history
https://www.lapl.org/news-stories/articles/puzzling-history-jigsaw-puzzles
Why are Vintage Puzzles Fun?
Whether you enjoy puzzles because of the shape finding and fitting challenges - or the experience of watching beautiful and interesting images evolve piece-by-piece - vintage puzzles are surprising in their range of curious shapes and fascinating depictions.
Imagine someone hand cutting each of these distinct pieces - even before "jig-saw" saws were invented.
Imagine families gathered around a candlelit table trying to accomplish a Rented puzzle before the weekend is over.
Imagine the thrill of trying the latest "new" entertainment - an artistic wood puzzle designed especially for adults.
Madmar Interlox Puzzles
Early pioneer of wood puzzles with premier images and shapes
https://www.oldpuzzles.com/node/1537
https://www.justanswer.com/antiques/pr5u1-1930-1940-1-2-10-1-2-puzzle-set-box.html
Why "Tigerlox"?
Tigerlox Puzzles are named in honor of the Madmar "Interlox" puzzles - and the innovative history that they represent.
There is something surprisingly personal about vintage puzzle pieces - especially ones that seem to make no sense - sometimes they are too loose or tight, but mostly they are just entirely unexpected.
Tigerlox Puzzles tries to capture the fun (and challenge!) of those unique puzzle piece shapes with custom designed shapes that inspire imaginations - or feel like a victory to find and successfully place!
** Valuable Resources for Cards & Silks — Great for Gifts, Home Décor, Collecting, and Creative Projects! **
Collector Society & Resource
CSGB — Card World
Vintage Refresh is a current Member of the Cartophilic Society of Great Britain (CSGB)
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An excellent information resource with an active community of collectors and dealers
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Hosts card fairs, meetings, postal auctions, and a bookshop & library
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Members collect all ephemera — not just cigarette and trade cards
Collectors Club & Magazine
LCCC — London Collectable Card Company
Vintage Refresh is a current Member of the London Collectable Card Company (LCCC) Collectors Club
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An excellent information resource with shop, auctions, and monthly magazine
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One of the largest stocks of cigarette and trade cards — approx. 50 million items
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Publishers of the first catalogue in 1929 and "Card Collectors News" magazine since 1933