Tally-Ho

“Tally-Ho No.9”

This famous brand was introduced in 1885 and is still available today. The earliest Ace of Spades had the Centre Street address and the Jolly Joker was used until the “Tally-Ho” Joker was introduced in the early 1900s. The brand has seen only minor variations over the years.

The phrase “tally-ho” is a largely British phrase, used in foxhunting, shouted when a rider or follower sees the fox. Indeed, later editions of this brand contain a fox hunting Joker.

The box is gold toned. That is because the cards are gold edged, very rare for this brand.

Above: “Tally-Ho No.9” playing cards, gold edged edition (very rare), c.1892. This is the first “Tally-Ho” deck with an early 'Patented' Ace of Spades and Joker that is very different from today's version that was first issued around 1905. However it has the same Circle back design that is still in use with today's version of the deck. Images courtesy Rod Starling.

See: Montgomery Ward & Co Catalogue Spring & Summer 1895►

REFERENCES

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000

Hargrave, Catherine Perry: A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming, Dover Publications, New York, 1966