If you ask the average collector or check one of the few (and thin) references on Brooke Bond - Red Rose issues, you will see that in Series 9, both a Canadian and US set were made. This can be confirmed by looking at the backs of Free Album Coupons for series 9. A "Free Album Coupon" was given at the beginning or end of a series run. They were typically issued in the tea boxes but also came back when you ordered individual cards or sets straight from Red Rose. You would fill out the coupon and mail it in and they would stick the coupon with your return address onto an envelope with your new album enclosed.

Series 9 Canadian with Province and Montreal Address

Series 9 US with State and New York Address

With these two different Free Album Coupons you can clearly see that there is a Canadian issue out of Montreal and a US issue out of New York.

Series 10 is then supposed to have been issued identically in the US and Canada but all cards were to be issued out of Canada. That is supposed to be the last series issued in the US. Sorry, I don't agree. Series 10, 11 and 12 no longer use the New York address but all were issued in the US. They certainly were in Maine and I have heard supporting stories in Michigan as well. I used to think this a border issue but thanks to Robert Skurda for emailing me and asking why. A little research into the Free Album Coupons gives some convincing evidence. There are two versions of the series 10 through 12 coupons and they all read the same way.   

Series 12 Canadian with Province and Montreal Address

Series 12 US with State and Montreal Address

With these two different Free Album Coupons you can clearly see that there is a Canadian issue out of Montreal and a US issue out of Montreal. They would not bother with a US issue out of Montreal unless they were truly distributing in the US, now would they? 

There is only one type of series 13 coupon and I have never heard anyone claim that it was ever issued out of the US. Did you notice that with series 13 it starts to cost a dime to cover mailing. I guess it's not a "free" album coupon at that point. 

Series 13 Canadian with Province and Montreal Address

So there is my proof for cards being distributed in the US for series 10, 11 and 12. They may look identical to their Canadian counterparts but they were issued in the states. Again, many thanks to Robert Skurda for getting me to dig a little deeper.

Last modified: May 10, 2019

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