Goodall’s Wüst house pattern playing cards

Published October 19, 2022 Updated November 15, 2022

Goodall’s Wüst house pattern playing cards with scenic aces of Brazil.

1890 Brazil Germany United Kingdom Goodall Wüst

At first glance you may think this is just another standard house pattern pack made by C.L. Wüst of Germany. The court cards are exactly the same as those used by Wüst in their first house pattern and the scenic aces are also the same as those used on some of their packs. However, nothing could be further from the truth ! This pack was printed by Charles Goodall & Son in about 1890 and sold as Whist cards No. 54 by their agent F.M Brandon, using the same No.54 which Wüst used on similar packs.
Although the court cards and aces are the same as those from Wüst the colours are somewhat muted and the Goodall name appears on the jack of clubs. The reverse is also the same as one used by Wüst but now with the Goodall name at one end and the name of the agent Brandon on the other end. The wrapper, of which I only have a photocopy, shows a scene of London replacing the scene of Frankfurt on the Wüst wrappers.

This pack has created much speculation about the possibly of an alliance between Goodall of London and C.L. Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany but until now no evidence has been found to confirm this. Mike Goodall was also unable to find any information about any collaboration between the two factories. The fact is that Goodall produced two other packs which were the same or similar to Wüst. You can see a later version here.
If any reader has more information about a possible Goodall - Wüst collaboration I would be most interested to hear about it.

Below: The reverse and a photocopy of the wrapper

References: Catalogue of Playing Cards from the factory C.L.Wüst, set 81. Shaw/Symons 2005,

All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©

avatar
71 Articles

By Paul Symons

Member since February 01, 2016

I'm British but I have now lived in the Netherlands for more than 50 years and am still enjoying every minute of it. I started collecting playing cards in the early 1980’s after speaking with my neighbour who was at that time a croupier in a casino. I started with just collecting jokers, but that soon led me to complete packs of cards and eventually to specialising in old and antique playing cards, particularly those of C.L. Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany. I am presently the Dutch representative of the I.P.C.S. and the auctioneer at the IPCS conventions.

Related Articles

1999 OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.

1991 Kids Fun Box playing cards

Kids Fun Box playing cards

Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.

1980 Tangle Foot Ale

Tangle Foot Ale

Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.

1891 Scientific Whist

Scientific Whist

“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

1985 Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur

Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

2021 Nimbus playing cards

Nimbus playing cards

Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.

2025 Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited

Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited

Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...

2006 The Decadent Deck

The Decadent Deck

Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.

1893 Historic Shakespeare

Historic Shakespeare

“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.

2019 CARD-AB Miltenberg

CARD-AB Miltenberg

Illustrations by Rita Stern depicting notable landmarks and scenes from the town of Miltenberg in Ge...

1925 Copechat Paramount Sorting System

Copechat Paramount Sorting System

Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...

1893 Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893

Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893

A glimpse into a busy print and design office in late Victorian London.

1964 New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern

New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern

Authentic Altenburger Skat cards with German suits (Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, Bells).

1971 German Travel Cards

German Travel Cards

A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.

1989 Batman® playing cards

Batman® playing cards

Batman playing cards published by InterCol of London 1989.

1984 Can You Believe Your Eyes?

Can You Believe Your Eyes?

“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.