Pneumatic Series ‘F’
De la Rue Pneumatic Series ‘F’ playing cards, c.1925.
Two alternative versions of De la Rue & Co’s Pneumatic Series ‘F’ playing cards with colourful back designs for P&O British India Lines, c.1925. The “Pneumatic” brand was first produced in c.1890 as a means to facilitate shuffling and dealing by preventing cards from adhering to one another. The word “Licensees” on the boxes refers to De la Rue's license to manufacture playing cards and promise to pay the duty which is specified on the Ace of Spades.
Above: De la Rue Pneumatic Series ‘F’ playing cards with three alternative back designs for P&O British India Lines, c.1925.
Above: the court cards are De la Rue’s standard English pattern from c.1922-1927 using seriffed indices. All images courtesy Matt Probert.
Above: Thomas De La Rue Pneumatic deck with advertising for Fyffes Line, with De la Rue ace and joker but with Goodall courts, c.1925-30. No series code on the hard telescopic box. Courtesy Matt Probert.
REFERENCES
Lodge, Ken: The Standard English Pattern (second revised and enlarged edition), Bungay, Suffolk, 2010
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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