Royal Britain

Despite being called “Royal Britain”, this pack essentially shows English monarchs. Trying to depict a run of these monarchs in chronological order (as here) is an exercise fraught with difficulty. In this set, devised by Pietro Alligo, Edward VIII has been left out but Mary Stuart (wrongly spelt “Stuard”) has strangely been included. Each monarch is named, with the dates when they reigned alongside. Some of the likenesses are more recognisable than others. On the back is the St. Edward’s Crown, also shown on one of the Jokers. The extra cards in 5 languages provide a brief historical background. See the box

Above: Royal Britain playing cards published by Lo Scarabeo, Turin, Italy, 2006. 52 cards + 3 Jokers + 5 extra cards with text in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish, in tuck box. Size: 58 x 88 mm. © 2006 Lo Scarabeo

I have some of these packs available for sale.