This is a cigarette card put out by John Players & Sons in
England in 1925 as part of their Scenic Background series.
On the back it says, "One of the most
majestic of dogs, the Deerhound appears equally to advantage
amid the stately surroundings of the baronial hall, or gracefully
bounding over the heaths and moorlands of his native Highlands.
The skill of the gunsmith has robbed the Deerhound of much of his
former value as a hunting dog, and he is now reared chiefly for
his own sake. His coat, which may be dark blue-grey, brindled, or
sandy-red, is harsh and wiry, not woolly. Height 28 ins., bitches
26 ins. Weight 85 to 105 lbs, bitches 65 to 80 lbs."
Scottish Deerhound Card 1(Players Scenic, 1925)... SOLD OUT
This card ws put out by John Player and Sons in 1931, and has the
following write-up on the back, "One of the most majestic of dogs, the Deerhound
appears equallly to advantage amid the stately surroundings of the baronial
hall, or gracefully bounding over the heaths and moorlands of his native
Highlands. The skill of the gunsmith has robbed the Deerhound of much of his
former value as a hunting dog, and he is now reared chiefly for his own sake.
His coat, which may be dark blue-grey, brindled, or sandy-red, is harsh and
wiry, not woolly. Height 28 ins., bitches 26 ins. Weight 85 to 105 lbs,
bitches 65 to 80 lbs."
Scottish Deerhound Card 2(Players, 1931)... $7.95 each
This card was also put out by the Player company as part of a series of
25 breeds painted by the famous artist, Arthur Wardle in 1928. The back says,
"The days of the Deerhound as a sporting dog ended with the breaking-up
of the Scottish deer forests, and the breed is no longer used for the
hunting of deer. The Deerhound has been known in its present form for
centuries but its origin is not known, though it is thought that the
Irish Wolfhound and the English Greyhound contributed some part to its
creation. Deerhounds were originally kept and bred only by the Scottish
kings and chieftains, and it was not until the collapse of the clan system
that the breed became more widely owned. Now, except for a few enthusiasts
who still hunt these dogs in remote places, the Deerhound is kept purely as
a show dog and companion."
Scottish Deerhound Card 3(Players, 1928)... $19.95 each
This card was put out by the Amaran Tea company in 1965. On the back it says,
"This hound has great courage and endurance which stand him in good
stead when hunting the deer, his natural quarry. The head should be
broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes. The muzzle is pointed
and the head long with a flat skull and ears set on high, soft and glossy.
A good working hound stands about 29 to 31 inches at shoulder."
Scottish Deerhound Card 4(Amaran Tea, 1965)... $5.95 each
This card was put out by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1937 to be put in
their packs of 10 cigarettes. The paintings were by artist Arthur
Wardle. On the back it says, "Deerhound. A member of the Greyhound
family. Head long, well-balanced and carried high. Mouth level;
ears small and fine. Eyes dark with affectionate expression.
Body long with deep brisket, well-sprung ribs and wide hips.
Forelegs strong and straight. Thighs long and muscular. Feet
compact with well-knuckled toes and strong nails. Loin arched
and belly drawn up. Neck long, arched and strong. Shoulders
clean and sloping. Chest very deep with well-sprung ribs.
Colour: varying shades of grey, brindle, yellow, sandy red,
or red fawn; white undesirable. Coat rough and hard, with longer,
softer beard and eyebrows."
Scottish Deerhound Card 6(Wills, 1937)... $6.95 each
This card was issued by Godfrey Phillips, Ltd. for their De Reszke
Cigarettes in 1939, just before the War. On the back it says, "The
Deerhound. The Scottish Deerhound has a very dignified bearing,
and is gentle and affectionate. It was originally bred for stag-
hunting."
Scottish Deerhound Card 7(Godfrey Phillips Our dogs, 1939)... $14.95 each
This lovely card was originally issued in 1914 by W.D. & H.O.
Wills for their packets of 20 cigarettes, and a reprint was issued
in 1987.
The title of the series is Dogs 'A' Series. On the back it says, "Deerhound. The Scottish Deerhound
is in figure somewhat similar to the smooth Greyhound, but is of
superior stature and bulk. In former times when the red deer was
coursed (as the hare is to-day), the Deerhound was a most valued
dog, possessing great speed and activity combined with much
strength and endurance. This noble, stately arisocratic-looking
dog is a very favourite pet, his beauty, gentleness, and graceful
carriage being greatly admired. In temperament he is most faithful
and affectionate. He is a bad swimmer, but never shrinks from the
water when in pursuit of his quarry. Being a somewhat delicate dog,
the Deerhound is considered rather difficult to rear. Its weight
should be from 70 to 100 lbs., and its height from 26 to 30 inches."
Scottish Deerhound Card 8(Wills, Dogs "A" Series Original, 1914)... $24.95 each
Scottish Deerhound Card 8(Wills, Dogs "A" Series Reprint, 1914)... SOLD OUT
This gorgeous card is from Gallaher Ltd., produced in 1938. It is
64 years old already, but what a lovely portrait! On the back it
says, "Deerhound. The Deerhound is a centuries-old breed which
got its name from having been bred for deer-hunting in the
Highlands. He has sometimes been called the Rough-coated
Greyhound, and this gives us the clue to his nature, though he is
more heavily built than the modern greyhound, having blood of the
Irish Wolfhound in his veins. Modern deer-stalking methods,
however, have robbed this fine animal of his vocation, and the
breed is now preserved entirely for its own sake."
Scottish Deerhound Card 9(Gallaher, 1938)... $9.95 each
This card was originally issued in 1940 by John Player & Sons for
inclusion in their packs of 10 cigarettes. Because of the paper
shortage of the war, they were quite rare and in 1994, a reprint
was issued. On the back it says, "Deerhound. Centuries ago
Scottish kings and clan chiefs used Deerhounds for the coursing of
deer in the Highlands. The breed has been known in its present
form for hundreds of years and its origin is lost in legend. It
belongs to the Greyhound group and is probably not unrelated to
the Irish Wolfhound. The coursing of deer is no longer practiced
and thus the Deerhound is rarely used for sporting purposes
nowadays. The breed is highly regarded as a companion for, in
spite of its size, it is docile and gentle-mannered and has an
unbounded faithfulness towards its owners."
Scottish Deerhound Card 10(Players Reprint only, 1994)... $5.95 each
Godfrey Phillips issued 'OUR PUPPIES' in 1936. There were 30 cards in the series.
The back of the card reads as follows: "The Deerhound was a favourite hound with
Scottish kings, who used it to hunt red deer. Its character makes it a fine companion.
Scottish Deerhound Card 11(Godfrey Phillips Our Puppies, 1936)... $14.95 each
Hignett Cigarettes put out this series of 50 cards titled simply 'Dogs' in 1936.
The following is shown on the back of the card. "This is one of the Greyhound family,
and may also be related to the Irish Wolfhound. The disappearance of deer-hunting
has robbed the breed of its vocation, and it is now kept only as a show dog, though
it can put up a good performance with hares. Deerhounds, which are mentioned in
a history of Scotland written in 1600, were the sporting companions of Scottish
kings and earls."
Scottish Deerhound Card 13(Hignett cigarettes, 1936)... $19.95 each
Weeties "Tailwaggers-Australia" was a series of 64 cards in 1940. The Deerhound is no. 32.
This beautiful painting has the following printed on the back: "The far-away look
in the eyes of the Deerhound, a breed which existed in Scotland in 1526, seems to
recall the days when knights were bold. The Deerhound's head should be broadest
at the ears, tapering at the eyes and long. The ears are set high, and in repose
are folded back. The neck is long and strong, the shoulders well sloped, the body
that of a greyhound of large size, wish broad flat legs, and feet close and compact.
**
DO make sure that your dog is exercised regularly every day. You will enjoy this
as much as he does."
Scottish Deerhound Card 14(Weeties Tailwaggers Australia, 1940)... $39.95 each
Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound history.
