01/07/2026
SET OF THE MONTH FOR JULY!!!
Gallaher - Portraits of Famous Stars
Our Set of the Month for July is the delightful Gallaher set of 48 Portraits of Famous Stars, issued in 1935. This charming collection features exquisite colour drawings of some of cinema's most celebrated personalities from the golden age of Hollywood and beyond
Among the stars you'll discover are Fay Wray, the iconic leading lady of King Kong; Marlene Dietrich, resplendent in her costume as Empress Catherine from The Scarlet Empress; boxer-turned-actor Jack Doyle; and Madeleine Carroll, who traded the classroom for the stage. The set also showcases dancing legend Fred Astaire, Little Women star Katharine Hepburn, and Anita Louise, who began her career as a child in silent films before portraying Marie Antoinette in Madame Du Barry. Completing this stellar lineup are Gertrude Lawrence in Mimi and Anna May Wong in her striking costume as Doña Dorada from Chu Chin Chow.
The reverse of each card offers fascinating biographical details about the stars and their careers. Did you know that Anna May Wong, despite speaking several languages fluently, never learned Chinese? Or that Anne Shirley received her first film role at just three years old? Other intriguing facts reveal that Tamara Desni was the daughter of a Russian actress who fled the revolution, Nova Pilbeam was a regular performer on the BBC's Children's Hour, Tom Walls owned and trained April the Fifth—winner of the 1932 Derby—and Patricia Hilliard was not only a successful actress but also an accomplished skier and ice skater.
Gallaher 48 Portraits of Famous Stars 1935 in very good condition is catalogued at £50.00, but is available in July at the members special price of £38.00.
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2026 A Year for Card Collecting
