The Cultural Context

The Gothic age, from the 13th - 15th centuries, saw fundamental economic and religious changes. Across the map of medieval Europe lay a tight web of trade routes, the arteries of commerce and exchange. The centre of gravity shifted from the land to the towns. A new form of economy evolved, based on production for sale and exchange, in which merchants and craftsmen played increasingly important roles.

Above: The art of printing gave a great boost to the paper making industries and brought about a scarcity of old rags, until the technology for making wood pulp was improved. In the image above, we can see playing cards being pressed, polished and cut. Various utensils are lying on the floor, including a stencil, a pan and the trimmings from the edges of the cards.

Many towns became centres of the arts. Painters and makers of missals, workers in bronze, carvers of wood, sculptors, embroiderers of tapestries, goldsmiths and, later, engravers of wood and copper thrived and plied their trades. Many of these also turned to the making of playing cards to supplement their incomes as this new industry took root. Medieval Guilds, or Trade Unions, arose. Artisans formed groups amongst themselves to protect their interests. Working practices were formulated and apprentices taken on. Members tended to live in proximity, so that our street might be named "Baker Street" or "Saddler's Row". Industry and technology were stimulated, new financial systems and new codes of international agreement were agreed, universities were established, books on all subjects were required… all favouring quicker and more affordable production. The invention of woodcuts towards the end of the 14th century, and Gutenberg's invention of movable type around 1440, made possible editions of multiple copies.

The development of printing is the definitive symptom of the modern age: the story of the printed book is the story of one of man's greatest triumphs. Playing cards as a mass-produced commodity were greatly advanced by this development. The art of printing made it possible for information, knowledge and propaganda to be spread more effectively… it also gave a boost to the paper making industries.