Alf Cooke was an important producer of playing cards and card games in the UK during the period 1920-1970. The company had been founded in 1866 by Alf Cooke, in Leeds, as a general printer. Playing cards were first produced under the name of  'British Playing Cards' during the years 1920-25 with a variety of unusual court card designs. The name was changed to 'Universal Playing Card Company Limited' in 1925.

'Alf Cooke Limited', with 'Universal Playing Card Co' as a subtitle, appeared on the aces of spades from around 1956 onwards, until the business was taken over by Waddingtons in 1970. Over the years, 'Alf Cooke Limited' produced an interesting range of playing cards, fortune-telling and tarot cards, as well as games for children and adults. During the 1930s an attractive range of cards was produced for Denmark, Iceland and Romania. Click on the links below to see more...

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