EPHEMERA : TOBACCO

OLIVIER

Showcard

Gallaher Limited (Primary maker)

1956
1956

Gallaher Collection; OLIVIER showcard. 'Olivier Cigarettes, A Tipped Cigarette', with a dark image of Sir Laurence Olivier holding a smoking cigarette in the background. 10 for 1'7.5, 20 for 3'3. Specially blended for Laurence Olivier. With fold-out stand at back for counter display. OLIVIER was launched in 1956 by Gallaher under Benson & Hedges brand. Named after Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-89). He received two pence for every 1,000 cigarettes sold, was given an advance against the first year's royalties and reported to have received 500 packs of 20 every week for his own use and to distribute. Olivier posed for the inital advertising launch of the cigarette campaign. Olivier was loyal to his brand as Sir Ian McKellan remembers when he started working at the National Theatre Company, founded by Olivier, that there was a cigarette machine only ever filled with the Oliver brand.

paper

BELUM.W2011.387