Laughing Made Easy
a Victorian card game published by D. Ogilvy.
"Laughing made easy" is a pack of 54 playing-cards formed of four sets numbered 1-12 with pips in suits of harps, roses, fleurs-de-lis and eagles, plus six prize cards. The numeral cards carry a variety of amusing stories and witty sayings which would arouse laughter and merriment amongst the players. There are no court cards. Any number of players may play at this amusing game...
Above: Laughing Made Easy card game published by D. Ogilvy, 17 Christ Church Road, Hampstead, London, c.1875. 54 cards plus instruction card, backs plain pink, 9.1x6.5 cm. © The Trustees of the British Museum
The cards are housed in a pasteboard case titled Ogilvy’s Games, shared with "Lend me Five Shillings". See the case
References
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (English 107), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]
British Museum: number 1896,0501.1041►
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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