L Day
Antique cards forming a composite pack by L.Day, Kingdom of Ireland, 1780.
This interesting pack is preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France. An ace of spades shows an official stamp in lilac: a left-facing crowned harp, the badge or coat-of-arms of the former Kingdom (or Monarchy) of Ireland. Beneath this we see the maker or publisher's name and the date 1780. There is also a second, plain ace of spades.
Closer inspection shows that the pack was compiled from several different sources, with 43 cards of varying sizes and styles of draughtsmanship brought together. The designs are standard English pattern but several cards are turned facing the other way. Many cards show signs of being removed from a mounting, and one or two appear to have been re-used for secondary purposes.
Above: assorted cards from an incomplete deck by L Day, Ireland, 1780. 43 playing cards: stencilled woodcut; square corners; plain backs; 9.5 x 6.3 cm. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Jeu de cartes au portrait anglais►
Reference
Bibliothèque nationale de France: Jeu de cartes au portrait anglais►
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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