The 1962 Dickson Orde & Co. Ltd. “Sports of the Countries” set is a classic mid-century tobacco card series issued by the British tobacco company Dickson Orde & Co. Ltd. (based in Surrey, England) and distributed in cigarette packets primarily in the UK market. This 25-card multi-sport collection, released in 1962, associates a signature sport or athletic pursuit with a different country around the world, presented in colorful artwork format (illustrated scenes rather than photographs) with each card featuring a vibrant depiction on the front along with the country name and sport caption, while the reverse includes advertising for Dickson Orde cigarettes plus brief explanatory text about the sport’s cultural or national significance.
The cards measure approximately 35 mm × 67 mm (equivalent to the standard small tobacco size of about 1-3/8″ × 2-5/8″). The set offers an eclectic, international snapshot of sports in the early 1960s, with a mix of traditional, Olympic, team, and niche activities, often highlighting lesser-known or country-specific pastimes alongside more familiar ones; it is particularly notable among collectors for its inclusion of a Babe Ruth card representing the United States in baseball. Highlights include cards such as England – Soccer (#1), Spain – Bull Fighting (#2), Austria – Skiing (#8), Argentina – Horse Racing (#22), and Scotland – Tossing the Caber (#25).
Regarding auto racing, there is one card directly related to the category: #19 featuring France – Grand Prix Motor Racing (depicting a scene associated with French Grand Prix racing, emphasizing France’s prominent role in the sport during the era of rising Formula 1 popularity). This single motorsport inclusion, combined with the set’s colorful illustrations, quirky country-sport pairings, and rare appearance of an American baseball icon in a British tobacco issue, makes it appealing to vintage multi-sport collectors, international sports enthusiasts, and those interested in 1960s ephemera. Complete sets or high-grade examples (especially the Babe Ruth card) remain sought-after and valuable in today’s hobby.
“Sports of the Countries”
France Card #19