Waddington’s “Silkette” Playing Cards
Cards made by John Waddington Ltd. for the Madras Club, Chennai (formerly Madras), India, c.1930.
Everything about this pack is standard apart from the thickness – the cards are 32 mm thick with a box to match. That is very nearly twice the thickness of a normal modern pack. Clearly it was thought that these cards might receive rough treatment and so they were built to withstand being slammed down at the gaming tables. This is similar to some packs made in Italy in more recent times though these were not usually so thick. Linen finish. Backs: badge of the Madras Club against a pale green background. See the box►
Above: “Silkette” brand cards made by John Waddington Ltd. for the Madras Club, Chennai (formerly Madras), India, c.1930. 52 cards + 1 Joker in slip case (the case being 37 mm thick). Size: 63 x 90.5 mm.
Note: the Silkette brand was introduced in July 1925, just after Goodall's Linette which had been introduced in September 1923. It had a slightly different surface. - Ken Lodge
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.
Related Articles
Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...
Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893
A glimpse into a busy print and design office in late Victorian London.
Batman® playing cards
Batman playing cards published by InterCol of London 1989.
Can You Believe Your Eyes?
“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.
Pastime Playing Cards for the Blind
The “Pastime” Playing Cards for the Blind manufactured by Goodall & Son Limd., c.1910.
Doppel-Deutsche Karten by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice
This deck from local manufacturer Bratří Willnerová offers a standard version of the popular Central...
Songs with Flute accompaniment
Eighteenth century English engraved cards with music for voice and flute.
Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!
Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice
Traditional single-ended Prager pattern by Willner Brothers from northern Bohemia.
Ben 10 playing cards
Characters from the American animated television science fantasy series Ben 10.
Doctor Who Trump Card Game
Game for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion join battle with the Alien Hordes....
Disney’s Aladdin playing cards
Characters from the 1992 Disney film Aladdin.
2011 Worshipful Company Pack
Celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, with characters adapted from drawings b...
Jockey Club de Buenos Aires
Spanish-suited pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires.
New interest in old games
Games once fashionable are now eclipsed by quicker gratifications.
Polygo™
Cards of irregular, four-sided shape for playing word and colour games as well as more traditional o...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
