Bull Mastiff
Tobacco, Tea and Playing Cards
Mastiffs are such an interesting group of dogs! Since there are so many nice
stamps and cards, I am splitting them into four pages. You can find the others
here: Bull Mastiff Stamps Stamps of other Mastiffs Mastiff Cards
I know that some of these are specific breeds and others, espeically the art
work of old, will be more of a "type" of dog. They are all beautiful in their
own way.
This card was issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1937. The cards were inserted
singly into packets of Wild Woodbine cigarettes. The title of the set is simply: "Dogs".
On the back, it says, "An ideal guard dog showing many characteristics
of both the Bulldog and the Mastiff, which were used in its making. Head large
and square with fair wrinkle and moderate depression between eyes. Muzzle deep
and broad, fairly short; slightly undershot jaws permitted. Dark mask
preferred. Eyes dark, of medium size, set wide apart with furrow between them;
ears V-shaped, set on wide and high. Neck muscular, well-arched and of moderate
length. Chest deep and wide with well-rounded ribs. Forelegs well boned and
straight. Hind legs muscular with well-developed second-thighs. Feet large and
round. Tail tapering, never carried gaily. Coat short, dense. Colours: fawn or
brindle."
Bull Mastiff Card 1 (Wills, 1937)... $4.95 each
This is not a cigarette card, but was issued by the Hornimans Tea in 1961 to be
inserted singly into their packets of tea. It is edited by Stanley Dangerfield
and photographed by C.M. Cooke. On the back, it says, "Of comparatively recent
origin, being a straight cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff, designed to
guard large country houses and estates in England. Not shown until 1928, they
are becoming surprisingly popular in view of their massive proportions. Very
powerfully built, possessing great strength but never cumbersome, large square
head with arched neck almost as large as head in circumference. Any shade of
brindle, fawn or red."
Bull Mastiff Card 2 (Hornimans Tea, 1961)... $4.95 each
Service Line of Modena, Italy issued these photographic cards in 1993.
The subject dogs are not identified. There is nothing printed on the back
of the card for identification except the title of the series "Dogs & Cats".
Bull Mastiff Card 4 (Service Line Modena, Italy, 1993)left... $4.95 each
Bull Mastiff Card 5 (Service Line Modena, Italy, 1993)right... $4.95 each
These cards were intended to be issued by John Player & Sons in about 1940,
however a paper shortage due to the outbreak of World War II prevented this.
Fortunately, a number of the cards were printed and made available to
collectors. The cards were intended to be inserted singly into packets of 10
cigarettes. The title of the set is: "Dogs' Heads: A series from Paintings by
Peter Biegel." On the back, it says, "The Bull Mastiff was not recognised as a
breed by the Kennel Club until 1925, but for centuries previously the cross of
the Bulldog and the Mastiff had produced a definite type of dog. It is known
that gamekeepers favoured the old type of Bull Mastiff as a companion on their
nightly rounds. This was due no doubt to the dog's fierceness, alertness and
ability to tackle poachers. The Bull Mastiff of today is a much purer breed and
is, despite its formidable appearance, a very faithful and trustworthy animal.
Its accepted colourings are fawn and brindle."
Bull Mastiff Card 6 (Players, 1940)... SOLD OUT
GOLDEN FLEECE SWAP CARD Bullmastiff "The Bullmastiff is a dog combining
great strength with gentleness. He looks ferocious yet is quite easy to train.
Growing to a weight of ten stone the Bullmastiff is an excellent guard dog
and a verygood pet. He is not a great barker. Many years of training have
inbred in hima quiet watchfulness rather than a loud outcry when he senses
an intruder. He eats no more than a German Shepherd dog."
Illust.: "Bulstaff Jellico" (Imp. U.K.) Owner:Mr.and Mrs. J. L. Stevenson, Vic.
Bull Mastiff Card 8 (Golden Fleece Australia, 1972)... $7.95 each
This card was issued by Ardath Tobacco in 1934. The cards were inserted singly
into large packs of Ardath Cork and State Express 333 cigarettes. The set is
entitled, "A Series of Champion dogs." The front of the card depicts Champion
Athos, owned by Miss Lane and the painting is signed by Fall. The back of the
cards is almost as interesting as the front, since it depicts a visual standard
of the Bull Mastiff, with the breed points as they were in 1934. These cards
are scarce. I have only this one.
Bull Mastiff Card 9 (Ardath, 1934)... SOLD OUT
Hignett issued this card #16 in a series of 50 titled simply "Dogs" in 1936.
The following is printed on the back of the card: "This is a breed originally
created for guarding purposes by crossing Bulldogs with Mastiffs, and although
such crossings took place as long as 70 years ago, it was not until 1924 that
the breed was put on the Kennel Club Register. It appeared first as a
show dog at Stoke in 1925, and is now fairly popular. Breeders found it
difficult to fix the type and to retain soundness, but (thanks mainly to
the efforts of the Staffordshire fanciers who created it) the Bull-Mastiff
now breeds true, and is a sound, strong animal with inherent guarding instincts."
Bull Mastiff Card 11 (Hignett, 1936)... SOLD OUT
Bull Mastiff Playing Cards
Sorry, we don't have any complete sets of playing cards. These were
from collections of antique cards and there is no way of knowing how
old they are or where one might find more of them. They are certainly
a part of Bull Mastiff history.
This playing card was issued in 1996 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. It was printed
in Belgium and the lovely illustrations were done by Tomas Markevicius as part
of the Dogs of the World Card Collection. The Bullmastiff is the 10 of
diamonds. To the right is a copy of the back of the cards from this set.
Bull Mastiff Playing Card 1... SOLD OUT
The Bullmastiff is the King
of Clubs, and a worthy representative of a king, but I have no other information on it.
Bull Mastiff Playing Card 2... $4.95 each
* Truly one of the cheapest unique treats for yourself or a friend (great for
club trophies as well!)
* It is absolutely true that you will often find some of these cards at very
reasonable prices. On the other hand, if
you add in the gas, hours, and hassles that it has taken to find them, you may
find it easier to just get them from us while we have them :*) I don't always
count on getting more in the near future. I get them when I can find them and
the stock is not always constant.
* I do have other breeds available. Let me know and perhaps I can do a page for
your breed.
~*~ Francie Stull ~*~
729 Mercer Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
Toll free (800) 658-6699, (270) 777-0744
