The
London firm J. Wix & Sons is best known for its Kensitas cigarettes which,
back in the 1930s, were promoted by several outstanding series, most notably
the silk flags and flowers, then Henry. By this time the company was owned by
the American Tobacco Co., a hint of which came when the British Empire Flags silks
appeared bearing the words "printed in U.S.A" But it was the Henry cards
which really emphasised the trans-atlantic connection. The
parent
company commissioned Carl Anderson, the well-known American strip-cartoonist,
to produce a series of pictures each of which was a complete episode in the life
of a mischievous boy Henry who gets up to all sorts of hilarious capers. These
proved hugely popular when issued in the States with Tareyton cigarettes, and
were switched to the UK market in 1935. In just over a year five different series
of fifty were issued, You can't fail to be amused by the fronts, and amazed at
the backs which blatantly state that Kensistas protect your throat against irritation
and cough, endorsed by 1004 doctors!