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.

Co-Founder & President:	Donald Welsh 11 Pierrepont Street BATH England BA1 1LA Tel: +44 (0)1225 465218	robertwelsh32@talktalk.net
Vice-President:	Peter Way Victoria House Western Road Ivybridge Devon PL21 9AN	collectors playingcards.co.uk
Chairman:	Mike Goodall	mikegoodall@waitrose.com
Hon. Secretary:	Barney Townshend Little Paddock Charlton Mackrell Somerton Somerset TA11 7BG U.K. Tel: +44 (0)1458 223812	secretary@epcs.org
Hon. Treasurer:	Pat Pincombe	p_pincombe@talktalk.net
Newsletter Editor:	Neil Darbyshire	neil.kdfd@btconnect.com
Committee Member:	Don Woolnough
Webmaster:	Simon Wintle	epcs@wopc.co.uk
E.P.C.S. Constitution UK Membership Form Overseas Membership Form Metastasis Transformation deck English Playing-Cards Links

Click here to read article about "Collecting English Playing Cards" by Major Donald Welsh, co-founder of the Society.

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 (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, designed by Simon Wintle, is based on the 'Garter' Ace of Spades and incorporates the motif in the centre.

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.

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.

See photographs of the 25th Anniversary AGM held in Pratts Hotel, Bath, 2009.

The next EPCS Milton Keynes Museum Meeting is September 25th Sept, 2010. The 2011 AGM will be held in Bath on Saturday April 16th. Further details will be posted here, or please email The Secretary for further information regarding meetings. Click here to see photo of 16/10/04 meeting at Milton Keynes… photo 2. Further details of forthcoming events, speakers and other arrangements will be posted here as soon as available.

If you are planning to travel by train, click here to see UK Railways timetable information. For a currency converter go to www.xe.com/ucc/

A postal auction is offered to members with each Newsletter, as well as card sales lists. A free information service is offered whereby any English pack or game can be identified and entered into the auction if desired.

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