Hill, R & J Ltd
R&J Hill tobacco manufacturers was established at 175 Shoreditch High Street in 1775 by the Hill brothers, in what was called the Badminton Tobacco Works, and had offices nearby in a building called Spinet House. It is thought that the production of cigarettes began somewhere around 1890 with the “Fine Art” brand. Later brand names included “Badminton” and “Spinet”, which we can safely assume were named after the factory and office buildings.
The company continued to produce cigarettes from the site until the second world war, but unfortunately the efforts of the Luftwaffe reduced the buildings, along with most of those in the nearby vicinity, to rubble in May 1941. Sadly the majority of the companies historic records were lost during the attacks. The company continued to operate after the war, operating from 66 Great Eastern St, London.
In terms of cigarette cards, Hill, or “Hill’s” as they are affectionately known, produced some of the highest quality sets of the early to mid 1900’s, and as such they are well sought out by collectors. Below are a selection of those sets.
Famous Footballers (1912). 20 Cards
A really beautifully produced sets of cards, with sharp images to the front, a simple but well drawn and laid out rear, and made with good quality card which has in many cases stood the test of time very well. The cards in the set are as follows:
No.1. Steer – Chelsea
William Henry Owen Steer, born 10th October 1888 is quite an interesting choice on the basis that following his 1912 transfer from QPR to Chelsea, he only achieved 4 games for Chelsea, scoring just 1 goal. His career appears to have ended after his brief stint with Chelsea
No. 2. Meredith – Manchester United.
William Henry Meredith, born in Chirk (North Wales) in 1874. Meredith started work in the local coal pit aged just 12 and remained there for 8 years. A footballing career that started with local club Chirk, before moving to Northwich Victoria, and then onto Manchester City in 1894 allowed him to focus fully on football. The rest, as they say is history, with a 12 year stint with City, followed up by a WWI interrupted 15 year spell with Manchester United, and then back to City for 3 more years, finally retiring in 1924. A fascinating story.
No. 3. Colin Veitch – Newcastle United
Colin Campbell McKechnie Veitch, born Heaton (Newcastle) in 1881. A true one man club, Veitch joined the Magpies in 1899, and remained until the outbreak of WWI, where he served in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He scored 49 goals in his 322 games for Newcastle, winning 3 First Division titles and 1 FA Cup.
No. 4. R. Steel – Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Loudon Steel, born in Newmills (Scotland) in 1888. After a 2 year stint Greenock Morton where he was loaned out to Port Glasgow, Steel joined Tottenham in 1908 and remained for the rest of his career. He scored 45 goals in his 245 games with Spurs, a career which was interrupted by WWI like so many others of the time.
No. 5. J. Pennington – West Bromwich Albion
Jesse “Peerless” Pennington, born in West Bromwich in 1883. Another one man club, Pennington played 455 games for the Baggies in a WWI interrupted 19 year career, winning a single First Division title and a Charity shield in the process.
No. 6. F. Mavin – Fulham
Born in Newcastle in 1884, Frederick J. Mavin initially signed for Newcastle, but moved to New Brompton (Gillingham) in 1905 having not played a match for the Magpies. He later played for Fulham, Bradford Park Avenue and Reading in a 12 year career. When WWI broke out he was a Bradford Park Avenue player, though chose to serve in the forces. So far I have been unable to find any further information on his wartime service. More info here.
No. 7. Ivan Sharpe – Derby County
Ivan Gordon Sharpe, born St. Albans 1889. Sharpe’s first club was Watford, who he joined in 1907, staying for a single season. He then moved to Derby County, where he remained for 2 more seasons before moving to Leeds City where he remained for 7 seasons (the last as Leeds United). He represented England on 12 occasions. Lots more fantastic info here: http://footballwriters.co.uk/editorial/ivan-sharpe-the-fwas-founding-father/
No. 8. D. Shea – West Ham United
Born in Wapping in 1887, Daniel Harold Shea’s first club was West Ham, who he joined in 1907, scoring 111 goals in his 179 appearances. He later played for Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Coventry City and Clapton Orient, retiring in 1927. He also managed 2 caps for England.
No. 9. J. Bache – Aston Villa
Joseph William Bache, born Stourbridge in 1880. Signed for Villa in 1900, and remained there until the outbreak of WW1, where the served in the Royal Garrison Artillery, rising the rank of Lance-Bombardier. He scored 184 goals in his 473 games for Villa, winning 2 FA Cups (1905/1913) and a League Championship (1910). Lots more info here.
No. 10 J. Walker – Swindon
Born John A. Walker in Belth, Scotland in 1882. During a 23 year career, “Jock” Walker played for all of Raith Rovers, Rangers, Swindon Town, Middlesbrough and Reading, scoring 1 goal in a total of 471 games. He also made 9 appearances for the Scottish national team.
No. 11. H. Fleming – Swindon
Harold John Fleming was born in Downton, Wiltshire in 1887. He spent his entire career at Swindon town, scoring 203 goals in 322 games between 1903-24, and 11 England caps. A statue of the player stands in the clubs foyer, as one of the clubs all time legends.
No. 12. Woodward – Chelsea
Born in Kennington in 1879, Vivian John Woodward made his debut for Clacton Town as far back as 1895. In 1901 he signed for Tottenham, scoring 61 goals in 131 appearances, including Spurs’ first ever goal in the Football League against Wolves in 1908. He joined Chelsea in 1909, scoring 30 goals in 106 games. Famously he refused to play in the 1914-15 FA Cup Final for the team on the basis he had not played in the earlier rounds so refused to deny others a place on the pitch. Injured during on the Western Front in 1917, whilst serving in the legendary 17 Middlesex “Footballers Battalion”, he never returned to football.
No. 13. A. Common – Woolwich Arsenal
Born in Millfield. Tyne and Wear in 1880, Alfred Common played for Sunderland (Twice), Sheffield United, Midlesbrough, Woolwich Arsenal and Preston North End in a 14 year career. In 1905 his transfer from Sunderland to Middlesbrough was the first £1,000 transfer in football. He won one FA Cup winners medal with Sheffield United in 1902.
No. 14. C. Lillycrop – Barnsley
Born George Lillycrop in Gosport in 1886, it is only known that Lillycrop signed for Barnsley at some point before 1910. He remained at Barnsley until 1913, when he moved to Bolton Wanderer, scoring 32 goals in 52 games. Played in Barnsleys FA Cup final victory in 1912.
No. 15. G. Wall – Manchester United
Born in Boldon Colliery in 1885, George Wall joined Barnsley in 1903, before moving to Man Utd in 1906. He remained at Utd until 1917, scoring 100 goals in 319 games. Served in the Black Watch in WWI, though it is thought he remained on home soil for the duration of the conflict.
No. 16. J. Simpson – Blackburn Rovers
Born in Pendleton in 1886, John “Jock” Robert Simpson signed for Falkirk in 1905, scoring 100 goals in 176 games, before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1911. Scored 16 goals in 151 games for Rovers, winning two First Division titles in his 8 years with the club.
No. 17. R. Crompton – Blackburn Rovers
Born in Blackburn in 1979, Robert Crompton was truly a one man club, serving with Rovers from 1896 until 1916, scoring 14 goals in 530 games, and winning 2 First Division championships and 1 FA Cup in the process. He also represented England on 41 occasions. Managed Blackburn to an FA Cup Final in 1928. Sadly died of a heart attack after a match against Burnley while managing Rovers. An amazing man.
No. 18. W. Wedlock – Bristol City
Born in Bristol in 1880, William John Wedlock spent his entire career with Bristol City 1905-21, where he scored 17 goals in 403 games. He lived and worked in “Wedlocks Pub” next to the Ashton Gate ground for 43 years.
No. 19. P. Sands – Woolwich Arsenal
Born in Norwood, Percy Robert Sands signed for Woolwich Arsenal in 1902 and remained there until the end of his career in 1919. Scored 10 goals in 350 matches for the Gunners. Served in the Royal Army Medical Corps on the Western Front in WWI.
No. 20. B. Freeman – Burnley
Born in Hadsworth in 1885, Bertram Clewley Freeman joined Aston Villa in 1904, before moving to Woolwich Arsenal, Everton, Burnley and finally Wigan in an 18 year career where he netted 219 time in 357 games. Won the FA Cup with Burnley in 1914, defeating Liverpool in the final played at the Crystal Palace National Sports Stadium, in front of King George V.
Again, if you have any snippets of info or images related to H&J Hill, please do get in touch and we will publish and credit anything of interest. Likewise, if you have a collection or sets which you wish to sell, please get in touch – we are always looking for good and interesting stock.
