Marlborough's Victories Playing Cards, 1707

Marlborough's Victories playing cards, first published in 1707, depict Marlborough's campaigns and the personalities involved. The elaborately engraved illustrations cover a variety of European political issues and include portraits of royalty connected with the campaigns. The pack also sheds an interesting light on the fall of the Duke from public favour.

A large number of such educational and political packs were published during the 17th-18th centuries and many were re-issued and sold by a Fleet Street stationer, John Lenthall from about 1710 onward. A modern facsimile of this very rare pack is part of a range published by Harry Margary.
See also: Arms of English Peers and The Knavery of the Rump.

Cards from the facsimile edition courtesy Giles de Margary.
Packs can be ordered directly from www.harrymargary.com