CGC Cards Registry Featured Set: Cinema Stars

This incredible vintage set of cards is ready for its close-up! TwoYewts' 1937 Richard Lloyd & Sons Cinema Stars set is currently the oldest set of cards on the CGC Cards Registry, at nearly 90 years old. The Cinema Stars cards were included in cigarette packs distributed by Richard Lloyd & Sons, a tobacco manufacturer in the United Kingdom. 

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Initially, Richard Lloyd & Sons put blank cards in their cigarette packs to stiffen the packages and keep the cigarettes inside from being crushed in transport. Eventually, cigarette manufacturers saw an opportunity; by printing images on these blank cards — such as animals, World War themes and film stars — consumers might be encouraged to buy more cigarettes so they could collect all of the cards in a particular set.

One of these sets was the Cinema Stars set. The fronts of the cards featured famous movie stars from the 1930s, while the backs included a brief biography of the star, including their birthplace, year of birth and the movies they starred in.

TwoYewts' 1937 Richard Lloyd & Sons Cinema Stars set is 100% complete and includes cards graded CGC 8.5 and CGC 9 — an impressive feat for cards that are nearly a century old! TwoYewts has also included some owner's comments on the Registry describing his set. We caught up with TwoYewts to talk about his set and the CGC Cards Registry. Check out the Q&A below!

Q&A with the Set Owner, TwoYewts

How did you become interested in collecting the Cinema Stars set?

I have always been a collector of vintage sports cards, especially tobacco era cards. So, it was a natural attraction for me to add tobacco-era non-sports cards to my personal collection. There is a certain appeal to hold a card in your hand from a set that is over 80 years old, one that features famous actresses from a time way before mine. These ladies were the Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek and Jennifer Lawrence of that era, and a great addition to my personal collection.

What is your favorite card in this set, and why?

I don't have a particular favorite in the set. It's interesting, though, that the set has two cards depicting Joan Crawford for no apparent reason, or at least none that I could find through my own research. Maybe the set designer had a fondness for the actress or a movie that she had a leading role in? Who knows?

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What makes this set unique or special to you?

This set is special because, in a sense, it's a more-than-80-years-old time capsule of "who was who" in cinema at the time [of publication]. These were the ladies (and their male counterparts) that would attract people to go to the theater for a night of entertainment, or whose photos may have been "pinned up" next to a soldier's bunk. I find it treasuring to be able to have a set in my collection containing pictures of famous names such as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich and others.

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Was there a card that was difficult to find? If so, do you have a story about how you were finally able to locate the card?

The cards making up this set came from two separate sets that I had purchased overseas from British card collectors. I took the best ones from each set and put together the master set that I sent into CGC Cards for grading. The cards aren't too hard to find through sites such as eBay. However, to find them in Near Mint to Mint condition takes a bit more time, since they're from 1937 (or 1932 depending on which source you refer to). Most of the time, you'll find a set that has been subjected to improper storage, contains tobacco stains or has simply worn down over time. I continue to keep my eyes open in the event that I come across a card that would grade better than the ones in my current set.

How has the CGC Cards Registry helped you with your collecting goals?

The CGC Cards Registry provides a way to help stay organized while sharing treasured possessions with a community of like-minded enthusiasts. I had been holding onto this set, waiting for the day that CGC Cards would expand to grade non-sports cards. I was happy to send this set in for grading once that happened, and I love how the black and white sepia-toned cards look in the CGC [holders]. I look forward to seeing what additional future updates CGC Cards will make to their Registry. Hopefully, CGC Cards can integrate some community suggestions (such as allowing collectors to add notes to cards in their inventory).

About the CGC Cards Registry

The CGC Cards Registry is a free online platform where collectors can register and display CGC-certified cards, compete with other collectors and get inspired. The CGC Cards Registry is also a great organizational tool for your collection. Begin adding your CGC-certified cards in the CGC Cards Registry here.

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