For unusual and thoughtful gifts to take you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane

Welcome to the wonderful world of nostalgia, sit back and relax as you surf your way around Past Times website.

Nostalgia is no longer a “thing of the past” it is firmly here with us to stay, bringing back warm memories of a bygone age when life had a much less hectic pace. Our first journey takes us back to the late nineteenth century with the introduction of the cigarette card by American company Virginia Tobacco around 1880. Cigarette cards were originally used to strengthen the paper packets but went on to be used as advertising space. Great Britain tobacco company WD & HO Wills were the first to introduce coloured picture cigarette cards and history was made. During the early 1900’s there were approximately 150 tobacco manufacturers producing cigarette cards and the hobby of Cartophily (cigarette card collecting) was well and truly in full swing.

Although the first world war saw a decline in production of cigarette cards the 1930’s were certainly in its hey-day and vast quantities of cards arrived. Because of the war a lot of sets reflected this with subjects such as aircraft, ships, cars, military etc. Another popular theme was sports with football and cricket topping the list of collectables closely followed by film stars of the day. The second world war saw the production of cigarette cards ceasing again because they were considered a waste as paper was at a shortage. After the war the cards failed to gain the popularity it had in the past although a small amount of cigarette card sets were introduced until production ceased in the 1950’s. Cartophily collectors were left with a heritage of thousands of different sets to swap and some cards can nowadays command thousands of pounds for the very rare sets.

Although Past Times have large quantities of different sets to purchase as you will see, this is really just a drop in the ocean to the amounts that were produced over a period of time nearly spanning a hundred years. The sets we have on display are all reproductions but should you require an original of a particular subject(s) please do not hesitate to contact us as we will do our best to source the set for you. O.K. now click on 'cigarette cards' and take yourself on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Past Times continues the journey into the fascinating world of memorabilia with a rare opportunity for collectors and gift buyers to purchase a superb presentation set of Great Britain pre decimal currency. Great Britain entered the world of decimalisation in February 1971 leaving behind a legacy of banknotes and coins never to be seen or used by future generations.

Past Times gives you an opportunity to show your children and grand children the coins and notes of yesteryear.

Another coin and note set of interest is the history of the silver dollar which contains a genuine "Morgan" silver dollar and a present day dollar bill. For additional history of the banknotes and coins for sale in these beautifully presented gift sets please click on Coin and Note Sets in the menu or click on the images below.

Our final journey for now takes us on another trip down memory lane into the fascinating world of metal advertising signs.

Produced by "The Original Metal Sign Company" many of these are authentic reproductions of original enamel street advertisements which are fused onto steel plate, the result is a sign which has the look and feel of vitreous enamel but at a much more acceptable price. Hundreds of individual signs are available giving every customer a great chance they will find something of interest.