The English Playing Card Society
The English Playing Card Society was founded in 1984, on a non profit-making basis, by Peter Way and Major R.T. ‘Donald’ Welsh.
The purpose of the Society is to bring together collectors, researchers, manufacturers, museums and libraries, and all persons interested who wish to increase their knowledge of English playing cards and card games, their makers and designers. An informative, well illustrated and readable newsletter is published three times a year together with details of meetings, new publications, recent discoveries and regular updates.
Click here to read the Society's CONSTITUTION.
25th Anniversary AGM photos held in Pratts Hotel, Bath, 2009.
Latest Update from the Secretary
“Following the unprecedented increase in posting costs, the Society's subscription levels will sadly increase for next year, 2013, as follows:”
- UK will now be £25 (paypal £26)
- Europe will be £28 (paypal £29)
- Rest of World will be £33 (paypal £34)
Click here to read article about "Collecting English Playing Cards" by Major Donald Welsh, co-founder of the Society.
Above: E. P. C. S. 1Oth Anniversary Transformation playing cards designed and produced by Karl Gerich, 1993.
Above: E. P. C. S. 25th Anniversary 'Metastasis' Transformation deck digitally re-mastered by Barney Townshend, 2010.
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The 25th Anniversary Deck “Metastasis”
The EPCS has published a book of the 25th Anniversary Deck "Metastasis". Click on the image of the book (below), and browse through the book to see every page and every card. Each card is near A5 size, one to each page. You will also find details of purchase options.
The Society Motif & Logo
The Society Motif (right) is from "The History of Playing Cards" by Rev. E.S. Taylor (1865). On page 238 there is a picture of the dog and the devil entitled 'Deuce and Tray'. An Ace of Spades symbol has been added to complete a representation of the first three cards in a standard pack: ace, deuce and three. The Ace and Deuce need no explanation. The dog 'Tray' is phonetically similar to 'tres' or 'three'.
The E.P.C.S. Logo
The E.P.C.S. Logo is based on the 'Garter' Ace of Spades and incorporates the motif in the centre.
The Newsletter
The Society publishes a 40-page A4 Magazine (including colour plates) which is free to members; this is dispatched three times a year and comprises well over 100 pages yearly. This builds up into a reference source, with an index, containing information which is not readily available through any other source. Members are invited to contribute articles to the Newsletter.
• See: The Playing Cards of Karl Gerich →
Meetings
The Society usually holds two meetings each year, a golden opportunity for exchanging and buying cards, as well as a social occasion. A talk is usually given on an interesting topic relating to playing cards, and refreshments are available.
The next EPCS Meeting will be at the Milton Keynes Museum on Sat.19th October. www.mkmuseum.org.uk. This meeting is shared with the British Brewery Playing Card Society and the IPCS. Trading, a Talk, and excellent home made food on site. If you've not been before and would like directions, please ask or contact the Secretary.
See photographs of the 25th Anniversary AGM held in Pratts Hotel, Bath, 2009. Click here to see photo of 16/10/04 meeting at Milton Keynes… photo 2.
If you are planning to travel by train, click here to see UK Railways timetable information.
Co-Founder & President: |
Donald Welsh
|
 robertwelsh32@talktalk.net |
Vice-President: |
Peter Way |
 info@collectorsplayingcards.co.uk
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Chairman: |
Mike Goodall |
 mikegoodall@waitrose.com
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Hon. Secretary: |
Barney Townshend
|
 secretary@epcs.org
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Hon. Treasurer: |
Pat Pincombe |
 treasurer@epcs.org
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Newsletter Editor: |
Neil Darbyshire |
editor@epcs.org
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Committee Member: |
Don Woolnough |
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Webmaster: |
Simon Wintle |
 epcs@wopc.co.uk
|
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Click here to read article about "Collecting English Playing Cards" by Major Donald Welsh, co-founder of the Society.
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