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.
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