Description

Item Description For sale is an original 1936 Wills’s Cigarette card (#3) titled "Renovating Venetian Blinds". This card is a classic example of pre-war domestic advice, issued as part of the "Household Hints" series of 50 by W.D. & H.O. Wills of Bristol & London. The Story & History: In the 1930s, these cards served as a pocket-sized manual for the thrifty homeowner. This specific card provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to disassemble, clean, and repaint Venetian blinds—a popular home feature of the era. It captures a time when maintaining household goods through manual labor was the standard. Vintage Trivia & DIY Tips: Technical Advice: The card instructs owners to wash laths with warm water and soap and repaint them only after rubbing them down with "fine glasspaper". Specialized Tools: It describes a "cradle" (labeled 'E' on the front) made of two battens used to facilitate repainting. Detailed Diagram: The front illustration shows the complex "ladder tapes" and "reversing cords" that made early 20th-century blinds functional. Condition Note Front: Clear color illustration with sharp graphics. Back: Instructional text is clean and fully legible. Overall: This card is in Excellent vintage condition for its 90-year age, with minor corner softening consistent with authentic tobacco cards. Please see high-resolution scans for exact details. Shipping & Protection Archival Protection: The card will be shipped in a brand-new archival top loader and semi-rigid sleeve. Packaging: Shipped in a Bubble Mailer to ensure it arrives without any new creases or bends.