The 1895-1899 Murai Brothers World Smokers is one set where I have picked up a few cards here and there. I definitely don't expect to complete it, but it is fun to dabble in these low-grade examples. Plus the Japanese connection with the Murai Bros brand helps keep my interest even though supply is extremely low. These 4 cards come courtesy of eBay and put my total cards in this set at 9 total now. I am not a smoker, but every once in a while I like to have a good cigar.....and when someone is smoking a pipe it always smells so good. Anyone else collect these or like to have a good cigar now and then?
I don't collect them, and don't smoke, but those are pretty cool cards.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The unfortunate thing is I don't think I'll ever be able to collect the entire set. Too few pop up.
DeleteOh man... these are awesome! When I was little, my dad had a friend who smoked a pipe and I loved the smell. It was much more pleasant than my mom's cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the different ways different cultures smoked. And what is even more interesting, all cultures seemed to have smoked. Tobacco has crossed cultures. I am not a fan of cigarettes. I am pretty sure I reduced my life expectancy living in Japan from all the cigarette smoke.
DeleteThose are great. I collect tobacco cards too, though I don't have any Murai cards (I have mainly English sets from Players, Gallagher, etc). Some of them are actually way more interesting than sports cards and are quite cheaper too, I love the variety of subject matter on them (anything with ships, airplanes, trains, cars or other interesting subject matter is on my want list)
ReplyDeleteIt astonishing how many old tobacco cards are still at auction. Millions and millions of them must have been produced...and millions upon millions of people smoking. These are the only tobacco cards I collect, but I do collect 1970s Japanese mini cards with the same subjects as you collect. I love trains, planes, and automobiles. And if there are video games on the cards, well game over. I have to have those too!
DeleteI love the video game cards too, at last the vintage 80s ones. On my other blog I did a post a few years ago about some Amada cards I bought which are pretty sweet: https://famicomblog.blogspot.jp/search/label/Amida%20Famicom%20Mini%20Cards
DeleteThe LSI Game cards are pretty sweet, but the Amada Famicon cards are even better. I am trying to complete all six series of the Famicon set. Harder than heck to do.
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