Collectibles: Tom Tyler on the film star animal cards

Film star collectors cards became popular during the 1920's and 1930's thanks to the growing pastime among the cinema going public. Largely produced by Exhibit Supply Company (ESCO) in Chicago, IL, arcade/cinema cards, strip cards, and related film memorabilia could be purchased for a penny from a vending machine. One novelty concept for these film star cards was the pairing of an animal, usually a sketched outline, with a real-photo image of the Hollywood star. Usually referred to as “film star animal cards”, these cards cards were issued as strips – also known as “strip cards”, in an array of colors, but the actual strip consisting of one color such as orange, and eight different stars, one star and animal per card. Each card could be cut along the lines and separated from the strip. An individual film star and animal card measures 1 3/4” x 2 3/4” in size and came in the following colors: white, blue, mint green, yellow, orange, pink, and red. The backs of these cards were usually blank. Most likely manufactured in the late 1920's by ESCO these strip cards were an addition to their ever-expanding selection of star- and sports-oriented arcade/exhibit cards and postcards. The only difference being, the strip cards were not issed in the same vending machines as the penny arcade cards were.

Some examples of film star and animal cards include the following: William Fairbanks with a buffalo, Lon Chaney with a squirrel, Wally Wales with a jackal, William Desmond with a seal – and Tom Tyler with a deer. It is unsure if the selected animal was supposed to match the personality of the star in any way but it seems ideal that Tom Tyler was suited to his selected animal, a deer. The strong yet graceful physique, antlers (a symbol of masculinity), inclined for the rugged land, and doe eyes fit Tom quite well. Whoever ascribed each animal to the film stars in this particular card collection certainly had the right idea in pairing Tom Tyler with a deer.