Shakespeare 300th Anniversary
Shakespeare 300th Anniversary playing cards designed by John Leighton (1822-1912).
Shakespeare 300th Anniversary
Playing Cards produced by Goodall & Son in 1864 to celebrate the tri-centenary of Shakespeare's birth. The back features the “Seven Ages of Man” designed by John Leighton (1822-1912). The court cards are ‘unturned‘: six of the court cards have the large suit symbol at the right-hand side. These were later turned so that all the suit symbols lay at the top left-hand side of the court cards, thereby enabling players to fan their cards more easily with all the suit signs visible.
Above: playing cards produced by Goodall & Son in 1864 to celebrate the tri-centenary of Shakespeare's birth. The cards are square-cornered and of the best ‘Mogul’ quality. The Ace of Spades is an early example based on the ‘Old Frizzle’ which had been discontinued in 1862. The pack was reissued in the 1880s and 90s and also in about 1910 with the appropriate current Ace of Spades.
References:
Goodall, Michael H: Chas Goodall & Son: The Family and The Firm 1820-1922, Woking, 2000
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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