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Butterworth and Son Limited launch new collectable tea card...

The Coffee Roasters and Tea Blenders Butterworth & Son Ltd, based at Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, have been packing collectable tea cards in their tea bag packets since 1993. During that time many different sets have been issued on a variety of subjects often with a local theme.

A new series of picture tea cards is being launched on 27 and 28 November at St Edmundsbury Cathedral during the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre. Entitled ‘Our Christian Heritage’, Butterworths commissioned a set of 20 paintings by local artist Geoff Pleasance. Twenty iconic Biblical incidents have been painted in a most direct and striking fashion. Canon Matthew Vernon, Sub Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, assisted with writing appropriate modern texts. ‘It is a pleasure to be involved with this local initiative, which supports a local business and raises awareness of our Christian heritage,’ comments Canon Matthew Vernon. ‘The images and texts on the tea cards are thought-provoking and informative.’

At the same time, a second set of cards with a church theme will also be launched at the Christmas Fayre. About 100 years ago a set of Suffolk Churches was produced as cigarette cards by a local company. For the new version, now presented as tea cards, the churches have been re-photographed and printed with an updated description.

The subjects selected are always aimed at being informative and educational and designed to appeal to a very wide audience. Over the years of production numerous artists, both photographic and illustrative have contributed their skills. This has provided a rich body of work of differing styles which is greatly admired by collectors. Packets of tea containing complete sets of both designs will be available to purchase from a stall in the Cathedral Cloisters. The original artwork will also be on view.