The Vintage 1976 Brooke Bond Tea Cards - Wonders Of Wildlife - Complete Album is a collectable item featuring a nature/wildlife theme, showcasing various animals through charming illustrations. Produced by Brooke Bond/PG Tips in the United Kingdom, these original UK issue tea cards are a nostalgic piece from the post-2nd World War era. The complete album presentation adds to the appeal of this set, making it a cherished addition to any tea card collection. Perfect for those who appreciate nature, wildlife, and the charm of vintage collectables.
The Brooke Bond "Wonders of Wildlife" set is a popular vintage collection of 50 tea cards originally issued in 1976. This series followed the earlier 1958 "British Wild Life" set and remains a staple for collectors of nature ephemera
Set Details
Card Count: 50 cards in a full set.
Dimensions: Standard tea cards measuring approximately 69mm x 37mm
Unique Variations: Notable for two printings of card numbers 1 and 37. Card 37 is well-known among collectors for having an "inverted picture" version where the animal's head is at the bottom.
Major Printing Variations
Card #37: The Mouse that Dies (The Pygmy Shrew)
Inverted Version: The most famous error in the set where the picture is printed upside down (head at the bottom).
Normal Version: The corrected printing with the head at the top.
An original error/corrected pair is highly collectible
Card #1: The Cheetah
Variant A: The top of the card is to the left with the text printed upright.
Variant B: The top of the card is to the right with the text printed upright. Collectors often aim to own both for a truly "complete" master set.
Subject Matter Highlights
The set features several "record-breaking" animals illustrated by the renowned wildlife artist Maurice Wilson. Notable entries include:
The Cheetah (#1): Noted as the fastest land animal.
The Swift (#2): Featured for holding airspeed records.
The Sea Wasp (#6): Highlighted as the most venomous creature.
Spotted Skunk (#21): Famous for its "record-breaking pongy liquid."
Duck-billed Platypus (#30): Included for its unique evolutionary characteristics.
Nile Crocodile (#32): Detailed for its ability to constantly grow replacement teeth.
Man on the Moon (#50): The final card is unique as it features a human, explaining how humans are "better at adapting" than any other animal.