Goodall’s “Historic” Playing Cards
Goodall’s “Historic” Playing Cards depict royal costumes of four periods in English history, 1893.
Chas Goodall & Son’s luxury “Historic” playing cards have decorated aces and double-ended court cards depicting the royal costumes of four periods in English history: clubs Plantagenet, hearts Stuart, spades Hanoverian & diamonds Tudor. Packs were produced with or without gilt edges and, over time, several different back designs were published. There was also a miniature version and the designs were used in the 1893 Worshipful Company Pack►
The Plantagenet Period 1216-1399
The Tudor Period 1485-1603
The Stuart Period 1603-1714
The Hanoverian Period 1714-1901
Above: the pack was published for a number of years with slightly different indices and several alternative back designs. There is no joker, but instead an extra blank card.
Above: advert from the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1893.
Above: pack sealed in tax-wrapper.
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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