Pentacards
A five-suited set of playing cards published by Fleet and Case Games Ltd., Rainham, Kent, UK, c.1980.
In this instance, Pentas® are the fifth suit and are coloured green. Each pip consists of five small solid circles within an outer circle. To bring some unity to the whole pack, all the Spade, Heart and Diamond pips also contain five small solid spots or circles. For the suit of Clubs, the trefoil has become a five-sided shape resembling a flower. The court cards are entirely non-standard and coloured red, black and green, in keeping with the colours of the five suits. Four of the suits have knights on horseback for Jacks, the Queens hold fans. There are 13 cards in each of the five suits. Green and white striped backs. Was this pack ever marketed or was this simply a prototype? See the box►
Above: Pentacards published by Fleet and Case Games Ltd., Rainham, Kent, UK, c.1980. 65 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 58 x 87 mm. Maker unknown.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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