a players navy cut/ senior service cigarette art sailors sweetheart oval rosette, dating from the early part of the 20th century.
the player's navy cut logo of a bearded royal navy sailor was based on the painting 'head of a sailor' by arthur david mccormick (1860–1943), which is believed to depict thomas huntley wood, who served twenty-four years in the royal navy in the nineteenth century. the painting was then used as inspiration by players for their logo and was printed on every cigarette packet for over half a century. the sailor image was known as 'hero' because of the name on his hat band.
thomas huntley wood whose bearded face appeared on millions of cigarette packets for over 50 years, served in the royal navy for 26 years. he was a boatman on hms edinburgh in 1897, when a photographer impressed by his stalwart maritime appearance, took a photograph which was published in a magazine.a year later the picture appeared for the first time in a tobacco advertisement. wood, advised by his senior officer, wrote to the firm and received what he asked for ... 2 shillings and some tobacco for himself and his mates. wood sat for several portraits by arthur david mccormick which were used in players navy cut artwork and advertising.
overall frame size ... 510mm x410mm
