Irish Wolfhound Cards

Irish Wolfhound Index
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Irish Wolfhound
Tobacco, Tea and Playing Cards
Irish Wolfhounds are blessed with some of the nicest cards and stamps available for any breed as well.
To check out the Irish Wolfhound Stamps from Around the World, click here.
or the Irish Wolfhound Gifts click here.

Artist Arthur Wardle painted and signed these 50 cards in the set titled "Dogs" and were distributed by Wills and enclosed in Wild Woodbine Cigarettes in 1937. The following is printed on the back of the card: "The descendant of the Irish wolf-hunting dogs. Head long, level and carried high. Muzzle long and tapering. Ears small and carried with tips thrown backwards. Eyes dark. Neck long and arched. Forelegs straight and heavily boned. Hindquarters very powerful and muscular, bent at stifle. Body lengthy, well-ribbed, wide across hips, arched in loin and tucked up in belly. Feet fairly large and round. Chest very deep and fairly broad. Tail long and slightly curved. Coat rough and hard, very wiry and long over eyes and under jaw. Colour: grey, brindle, red, black, and fawn in various shades, white."

Card 1-- SOLD OUT

These lovely photographs issued by Carreras in 1936 and titled "Dogs and Friend"(50 in set) are described on the back by LADY KITTY RITSON as follows: "The Irish Wolfhound is not strictly of Irish origin, neither is it a pure breed, the original breed having died out. The present dogs are the result of a cross between the Scottish Deerhound and the Great Dane. Size is greatly desired by breeders, and there is no doubt that soundness has thereby been largely sacrificed. They are handsome dogs, but they seem to need a large house, open fireplaces and parks as a suitable background."

Card 2-- SOLD OUT

Service Line of Modena, Italy issued these beautiful photographs in 1996. The dog is not identified and the only printing on the back of the card is the number 42 and the title of the series "Dogs & Cats"

Card 3-- $4.95 each . . . Qty

This card is an authorized reproduction issued in 1990 of the original that was put out in 1940 by Wills and titled "Puppies by Dawson-Reprint of 1940"
"Beauty" is a lovely drawing of the Irish Wolfhound by Lucy Dawson and described by the artist on the back of the card: "Here is one of the lovliest of puppies with the sweetest of natures, and eyes of the softest brown. He had such difficult legs to manage that he was always falling head over heels, and no one was more surprised than himself. His skin was so loose that it seemed quite easy to pick him up by a fold of it."

Card 4-- SOLD OUT

Players issued this set of 50 cards with paintings by artist Arthur Wardle titled "Dogs by Wardle-Full Length" in 1931. The following is shown in print on the back of the card: "Ireland's historic Wolfhound, a giant of the canine race, is of very ancient origin. There is some resemblance between the Scottish Deerhound and the Irish Wolfhound, and possibly some blood relationship, but the Irish dog is bigger, less elegant in outline, heavier and more powerful. He has also a coat of harder texture, rough and wiry. Colours: grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn or any colour that appears in the Deerhound. Height: dogs 34 in., bitches 32 in. Weight: dogs 120 lb., bitches 100 lb."

Card 5-- $6.95 each . . . Qty

This headstudy by Arthur Wardle is in a set of 50 headstudies issued by Players in 1929 titled "Dogs by Wardle-Heads". Printed on the back: "At an early period Ireland was noted for hounds of huge size employed in defending flocks and herds from wolves, in hunting and in warfare. In A.D. 391 a Roman Consul wrote thanking his brother for seven Irish dogs to be used in fighting lions, bears and Saxons. Reginald, King Edward III's huntsman, brought over 19 hounds obtained from various Irish lords in 1335. This breed resembles the Deerhound in general type, but is more massive in build, 32-34 inches in height considered a good height in dogs. Colours: grey, brindle, red, black, white, fawn."

Card 6-- SOLD OUT

Players issued this set of 50 cards titled "Dogs-Scenic Background" in 1925.The following is printed on the back of the card: "Ireland's historic hound is a giant of his race. He is of very ancient origin, closely identified with the Fingalian legends, and was highly prized by the Romans, who frequently used him for their combats in the arena. Great size and strength is aimed at by breeders, but the dog must be at the same time a very speedy animal. He has a rough wiry coat, and the most popular colour is grey brindle. There are also fawns, reds, and even blacks. Height at shoulder 32 to 36 ins. Weight dogs 120 lbs., bitches 100 lbs."

Card 7-- $7.95 each . . . Qty

Gallaher issued this No. 1 card in the second series of 48, in 1938. The series had the simple title of "Dogs Second Series". The back of the card has the following description: "The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog in the world, standing three feet at the shoulder. A very ancient breed, they were more famous hundreds of years ago than they have ever been since. Many were exported before the War to parts of the Empire where wolves or coyotes were still a menace. the form of the dog partakes of the greyhound, and is the largest of that type."

Epol South Africa, an animal feed company, issued this set of "Dog Pictures" in 1974. The following is printed on the back of the card in both English and German: "A quiet dignified animal and a loyal companion. The coat is rough and hard, its head long with powerful jaws. It has small ears, a racy body and a long tail. Its height should be at least 61 cm and its weight 54 kilos.

"OUR DOGS"
is the title of this lovely headstudy issued by Godrey Phillips in 1939. A brief description is shown on the back of the card: "This dog is a handsome Irishman with all the best traits of the historic race."

These "Challenge of the Yukon" Dog Cards were put out by Quaker Oats in 1938. The back of the card has a description of the Irish Wolfhound along with a stamped signature of Sargeant Preston: "Irish Wolfhound is the longest of all dogs. He is called the "Great Dog of Ireland." When standing on his hind legs, he usually reaches a height of 6 feet or over. His immense length gives him a regal appearance. He is a lion in heart, is fearful of nothing, and yet is a kitten in disposition--one of the gentlest of all dogs. Name of Irish Wolfhound pictured here is Champion Chalet Armagh."

Champion Coghlan of Ouborough
This card is from a series of 24 (Irish Wolfhound No. 16) enclosed in Gallaher's DE LUXE CIGARETTES. Irish Wolfhound card
from England

The following is shown on the back of the card: "This breed is produced by the skillful blending of the Great Dane and the Deerhound. The Irish Wolfhound has no relationship to Ireland, although early historical references to a type of dog with somewhat similar characteristics used for hunting the wolf, occur in various books of reference as far back as the 14th century. The breed was first shown in Dublin in the late 19th century. The dog illustrated is owned by Mr. J.V. Rank and has won the "Best in Show" two years in succession at the Metropolitan and Essex Show in November 1932-33." The picture at the right is a detail of the lower right on the above card.

This is the same card in a smaller size. I have been able to obtain only one of these. They were issued by Gallaher in 1934.

Card 13-- SOLD OUT

Wills cigarettes issued this set of "Dogs 2nd Series" in 1915. The Irish Wolfhound is No. 5 in the series of 25. Printed on the back: "History and tradition clearly show that there was in early times in Ireland a very large hound of Greyhound form, used by the Irish kings to hunt the wolf, red deer, and fox. Experts differ as to whether the Irish Wolfhound of today is a direct descendant of these hounds or a more modern breed. However this may be, the Wolfhound as we know it to-day is certainly a magnificent animal, of great size and commanding appearance. He is very muscular, and strongly though gracefully built. The height of a good hound will be about 28-31 inches, and his weight somewhere about 100 lbs. The colour of the rough, wiry coat varies considerably; grey, red, black, brindle, fawn and white are recognized colours."
There has been a reprint issued in 1988 of this set of cards, but I do not have any right now.

Card 15 original-- $24.95 each . . . Qty

United Tobacco Agency of Eindhoven, Netherlands, for Full Speed Cigarettes put out these cards in 1934. I do not have any more information on the identity of the dog or the artist. There is nothing printed on the back of the card. This is a rare find and I have only one of them but certainly a 'must' for the complete Irish Wolfhound collection.

Ardath Tobacco Co; LTD: Mfgs. of State Express and Ardath cigarettes issued this beautiful series of 25 pictures reproduced from photo etchings. The back of the card has a rather ornate framing with the following: "The origin of the Irish Wolfhound is obscure, but records suggest the breed was in existence as far back as A.D. 100. A few of these giant dogs were used by the Romans for fighting lions or bears in the arena. Irish history often mentions the great prowess of these dogs against wolves. There was a time when only Irish chieftans were allowed to own them. The tallest member of the canine world, the Irish Wolfhound is of symmetrical and graceful build, and notwithstanding his size is decidedly active. He makes an excellent companion and guard for those who can offer him the reguisite space. Has proved his value in modern times on big game in Australia, India, Africa and Canada."

Weeties put out this set of 64 cards titled "Tailwaggers- Australia" in 1940. The Irish Wolfhound is No. 15. These cards were enclosed singly in packages of Weeties, Vitbrits and Crispies. The following is printed on the back of the card: "As a breed, the Irish Wolfhound is a natural hunter with a sensitive disposition, not too friendly with strangers. He is a massive dog sometimes measuring 36 inches at the shoulder, and may be grey, brindle, black or fawn with rough hard hair. He is very muscular and strongly though gracefully built.
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DO remember what a pal you have in your dog and be a pal to him. He needs fresh, clean drinking water each day."

Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is the four of Diamonds. To the right is a copy of the back of the cards from this set.

Irish Wolfhound Cigar Bands

These cigar bands were put out by Senator Cigars in Holland.

Irish Wolfhound Post Cards

This darling card was put out by the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington NY. It shows a wheaton Irish Wolfhound and a Cocker Spaniel having a party with their cokes and ear phones listening to the music.

To check out the Irish Wolfhound Stamps from Around the World, click here.
or the Irish Wolfhound Gifts click here.

* We can take visa/mc/amex/disc or a check, but they are first come first served, so let me know if you are interested.

* We do have discounts if you want to buy more than one.

* We have a couple of copies of some of these cards, and since they are much more fun when you have a "set", we would be happy to give a discount for multiple purchases. This can make a set of interesting breed cards quite reasonable. 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 stamps at very reasonable prices -- some can be had for under a dollar. 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 ~*~
8708 Grelle Lane, Austin Texas 78744
Toll free (800) 658-6699, (512) 280-1867

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