Mediaeval Playing Cards

This supremely beautiful pack is arguably the finest produced by an American company in the 19th century. Six colours were used for the faces and five plus gold for the backs. The colours and the overall artwork are indeed pleasing to the eye, with much fine detail. The Ace of Spades is decorated, with the name of the manufacturer included. The courts are dressed in medieval costume, with differences at each end. They are named KING, QUEEN and KNAVE. The Joker is a three-quarter length jester. The double-ended backs feature a man holding a hand of cards, on a gold ground. The cards were printed in colour lithography and have gilt edges. This fine pack did not find favour when it was issued; only a few examples are known to have survived. See the box►

Above: Mediaeval Playing Cards made by the New York Consolidated Card Company, New York, USA, 1897. 52 cards + 1 Joker + 1 blank card in telescopic box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. Photos courtesy of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards.

See the packing slip►

References

Berry, John. Playing-Cards of the World. Bromley, UK: John Berry; 1995. Cat. no. 511.

Dawson, Tom and Judy. The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards. Stamford, CT, USA: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.; 2000. p.60, NY55.