A Barribal variant for Christmas
Christmas gift with a difference, made by Waddington’s, Leeds, 1931.
Here is a most unusual variant of one of the earlier printings of a pack with a Barribal back design from Waddington’s Sporting Birds Series, probably dating from 1931. This one has added wording after the word “Pheasant”, namely “…. Eggs / PHEASANT POULTS / ADULT BIRDS FOR STOCK” followed by the name of a poultry farmer, Frank Dickens Jr, Yorkshire Game Farm, Fyling Hall, Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire, and mentioning that he holds a field certificate for 1931. This very special edition would have been offered to his customers as a Christmas present, since the box carries the wording “WITH THE SEASON’S GREETINGS” followed by the farmer’s name and address.
Above: Barribal back design from Waddington’s Sporting Birds Series, Leeds, 1931. 52 cards + 1 Joker in telescopic box. Size: 58 x 89 mm.
One wonders how many other enterprising businesses had special editions of these cards made for them. The writer of this piece would certainly be interested to hear of any others.
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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