Lawrence & Cohen, New York

Published July 03, 1996 Updated June 01, 2022

Lawrence & Cohen decided to hire Owen Jones, the English playing card designer who produced back designs for De La Rue (London).

1865 USA De la Rue Lawrence & Cohen Owen Jones Art & Design

Lawrence & Cohen, New York

Lawrence & Cohen enjoyed the services of Owen Jones who had designed many beautiful back designs for De La Rue. This Ace of Spades, c.1865, closely resembles that of De la Rue but it was soon modified by the substitution of an eagle for the crown at the top.

Lawrence & Cohen playing cards printed from De la Rue plates, c.1865

Above: Lawrence & Cohen standard double-ended playing cards printed from De la Rue plates, c.1865. The courts are identical to those used in DLR's own cards.

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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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