Leadmill playing cards
Promotional pack for an arts centre in Sheffield with designs by Martin F. Bedford.
The Leadmill is a legendary venue for live music, club nights and comedy in Sheffield. One of the founding members in 1980 was Martin F. Bedford (d.2023), the artist who designed this pack in 1990 as a promotional item for the venue. The attractive and beautifully coloured double-ended courts depict different indigenous peoples including Native Americans (D) and Celts (S). Perhaps these figures were intended to represent the universality of art and music. The aces are also decorated. The Joker design is signed and dated by the artist. Is it in fact a self-portrait? See the box
Above: Leadmill playing cards published by The Leadmill, Sheffield, UK, 1990. Probably printed in Belgium. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 58 x 89 mm.
Further References
Martin F Bedford: ‘Sheffield Legend’ – Poster and Graphic Artist►
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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