English pattern from Nigeria
A standard pack from the most populous country in Africa.
Considering its size, it is surprising that Nigeria has apparently spawned very few packs of playing cards. Could it be that we just don’t know about them or have few playing-card collectors actually visited the country? According to the tuck box, this pack was made in Nigeria, though the date is uncertain. The cutting and finishing are not of a high standard, which would suggest a local production. The size of the cards is unusual – 56.5 x 80 mm – being somewhere between a standard bridge size and a patience size. See the box►
Above: standard English pattern pack from Nigeria made by United Games (Industries) Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria, c.1970. 52 cards + 1 Joker + 1 extra card in tuck box.
Note: this pack can be found in the collection of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards, ref. no. 1924. It was a gift from Victor Watson, former Chairman of Waddingtons, and his family.
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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