Archives
2015 • September
Roberts Brothers Ltd, Gloucester
Roberts Brothers Ltd, Gloucester (Glevum Brand) ‘Old Maid’ card game, 1920s.
J. W. Spear and Sons: ‘Zoology’
Quartet games with scientific illustrations became popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. J. W. Spear and Sons Zoology quartet game is a lesson in natural history.
Jacqueline Wilson Playing Cards
“Jacqueline Wilson” playing cards were illustrated by Nick Sharratt and published by Winning Moves UK Ltd in 2007.
Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera
A very impressive deck of cards featuring 54 different images from “Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera” published by HCG Poker Productions, 2005
Empire Card Company: Star Playing Cards
The “Star” special pack of playing cards manufactured by Thomas De la Rue under their Empire Card Co subsidiary, c.1910.
Grolsch Brewery
A somewhat unusual deck specially designed for Grolsch Breweries evoking self-expression and independence of spirit, c.2012
Mercury One-2-One Situations
Mercury ‘One-2-One Situations’ playing cards published by Mercury Communications.
Nu-Vue for TWA
Nu-Vue playing cards by Brown & Bigelow have novel courts and a special tint which are promoted as “the modern eye-saving concept in playing cards”
Secret Magic Cards
‘Secret Magic Cards’ published by Hanky Panky Toys Thailand Ltd., © World Magic International, 2006.
Jeu de Bataille
“Jeu de Bataille” card game published by Éditions Willeb, Paris. The court cards represent characters from different nationalities or ethnic groups who are presumably engaged in battle
Ian Schrager Hotels
Advertising/souvenir deck of cards associated with the Ian Schrager chain of luxury hotels.
Interview with Tom and Judy Dawson from 52 Plus Joker
Interview with Tom and Judy Dawson from 52 Plus Joker. Chatting about the history of playing cards, uses of cards and collecting.
Ainu culture
A terrific deck of cards made by Nintendo c.1979 with original designs on every card showing the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan.
Film Fantasy
Pepys “Film Fantasy” card game based on MGM’s most popular 1939 film releases, issued just at the time when WW2 began
Rūfa
Rūfa is a game designed by Ernest Legh and manufactured by De la Rue. The object is to build a pagoda with specially-designed cards without causing the building to collapse.
Olivia’s Lucky Ladies
“Olivia’s Lucky Ladies” glamour model playing cards produced by Ozone Productions Ltd, USA, 2004
Legendary Land’s End
“Legendary Land’s End” deck by John Hinde showing photographic views of Land’s End, Cornwall (UK)