'Lieut-Gen French The greatest Cavalry Leader of modern times'

Cigarette card, published by Ogden's Limited, Number 105 of 'Ogden's Guinea Gold Cigarettes' Boer War series, 1902 (c).

Portrait of Lieutenant-General Sir John Denton Pinkstone French (1852-1925), later 1st Earl of Ypres.

French commanded the 1st Cavalry Brigade during the Boer War (1899-1902). After being appointed Chief of Staff of the British Army in 1911, he was promoted to Field Marshal and given command of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in August 1914.

Cigarette cards were produced from the mid 1870s until the end of World War Two (1939-1945). Used to strengthen thin cigarette packs the cards were quickly developed into advertising devices. Series of cards covering every conceivable subject, from sportsmen to flora and fauna, were produced to encourage collectors and potential smokers alike.

Ogden's issued cigarette cards from 1895, and were the first company to illustrate them with real photographs. The firm issued more than 140 cards relating to the Boer War.