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.
Leave a Reply
Your Name
Just now
Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.
Related Articles
Agatha Christie and card games
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...
English Heritage
52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.
The Malt Whiskies of Scotland
Three packs featuring photographs by Duncan McEwan of malt whisky distilleries in Scotland.
Typographic Playing Cards
Typographic Playing Cards designed by Jim Sutherland, c.2010.
Damn! Fools by Moon
Damn! Fools playing cards designed by Leo Scherfig, 2022.
76: Transitions: Hunt & Sons
Styles change and technology develops. This means that it's possible to see transition periods in th...
Gibson’s History of England
History without tears for young and old, 1920s.
Simpson (Piccadilly) playing cards
Innovative advertising pack for Simpsons of Piccadilly designed by André François.
Scruffy Mutts
‘Scruffy Mutts’ dog-themed playing cards, United Kingdom, c.1998.
Crown Hill playing cards
Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,
Hamlet Cigars
Advertising deck for “Hamlet mild cigars”, a Benson & Hedges product.
Smith-Corona Marchant
Simplified yet colourful court card designs by Avoine for Smith-Corona Marchant.
Austria Ski Team playing cards
Photos of members of the Austrian skiing team replace the normal courts on two different packs.
Heathen Divinities
Handmade playing cards from the British Museum depicting classical Greek and Roman gods and goddesse...
1968 Worshipful Company Pack
Commemorating the Games of the XIX Olympiad, Mexico, 1968 (Master: Michael J. Amberg).
Royal Britain
Pack devised by Pietro Alligo depicting English monarchs from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
