When three brands merge...
After De la Rue factories were bombed in 1940 their cards were printed by Waddingtons. In 1962 Waddingtons and De la Rue combined forces to form the Amalgamated Playing Card Co.
As we know, after the De la Rue factories were bombed during the war in 1940 their cards were printed by Waddingtons. In 1962 Waddingtons and De la Rue combined forces to form the Amalgamated Playing Card Co, but in 1971 De la Rue pulled out of playing cards leaving Waddingtons the sole manufacturer. Here is a double pack produced for an unidentifiable shipping line in which ALL THREE companies come together. One pack has a De la Rue ace of spades, harlequin jokers and complaints slip. The other was sealed with a Waddington’s seal, carries an Amalgamated ace of spades and Waddington’s standard jokers with a De la Rue complaints slip. See the sealed Ace of Spades►
Above: double boxed set manufactured by Waddingtons for De la Rue and Amalgamated Playing Card Co., late 1960s. Images courtesy Matt Probert.
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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