Spicer & Detmold
Spicer & Detmold (1922-48) produced a lot of pictorial back designs. Most decks with picture backs were printed in 4 colours.

Spicer & Detmold Ltd
Spicer & Detmold (1922-48) were the successors of William Detmold Ltd. They produced a lot of pictorial back designs, except during the war period. These included series such as Beautiful Australia, Dog Breeds and Popular Film Stars. Most decks with picture backs were printed in 4 colours. In around 1932 the old ace of spades, joker and court card designs were updated, signalling a break from the past. Playing card brands include “Koala”, “Coronet”, gilt edged in four colours and “St George” in two colours. They did produce other decks as well, such as the 500s. In 1948 the company became known as Spicers (Australia).
1922-1932

Above: until 1932, the ace of spades and seated Joker were used, carried over from the Detmold / W. Thomas era, with the word “Joker” in the corners instead of the little jester’s head. The number card clubs are printed rather ‘thickly’.

Above: wide-size court cards from before 1932. After this time they were re-designed.
1932-1948

Above: after 1932 a new ace of spades and joker were introduced. We can’t say for sure why they changed; maybe the introduction of playing card tax got them to do a design rethink, after all the coat of arms ace was a bit dated by the 30s!

Above: court cards from after 1932. These later courts are a turned redrawing of the earlier wide ones, preserving a sense of tradition.

Above: advertising double deck for Onkaparinga by Spicer and Detmold, c.1935. Image courtesy Matt Probert.
Assorted Back Designs




Above: assorted back designs by Spicer & Detmold Ltd. An interesting series they produced in the 1930s was for Tintara. The deck also has special aces. The backs came in at least 2 colour versions each, at least one had 4 different coloured backs. It was a boom time for drinks adverts on cards in the 1930s.
Related Articles

Pride playing cards
Pride playing cards designed by Phil Constantinesco

The Millenium Tarot: Tarot of the Four Worlds
First Australian Tarot, designed by Mary Susan Chamberlain, with artwork by Ziba Vilmanis-Westenberg...

Scenic Views of Australia
54 different scenic views of Australia in full colour.

Pack of Thieves?
“Pack of Thieves? 52 Port Arthur Lives” playing cards documenting life in an Australian penal settle...

Unique Australian Animals
‘Unique Australian Animals’ educational playing cards designed by Lawton Ho, Australia, 2004.

Cyberpunk Playing Cards by Elephant
Cyberpunk playing cards, combining themes of lowlife and high tech. Created by Ben Jones, produced b...

Wimmera Playing Cards
Different scenes from the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia, drawn by Colin Daniels.

Transformation Cards for Christmas
Hand-drawn Transformation cards, c.1870.

Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards
Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards by Sunish Chabba, 2020.

Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia and is the world's third-oldest airline stil...

Collecting Playing Cards with Jan Walls
I collected playing cards when I was in primary school, by Jan Walls.

On The Cards
A Motley Pack - transformation playing cards & ‘On The Cards’ book facsimile published by Sunish Cha...

Billabong playing cards
Billabong Dual Deck by Hudson Industries, 1950s.

Kalevala
Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.

Adelaide Casino
Adelaide Casino by Spicers Paper Ltd, 1987.

Erlenmeyer City Sights
Erlenmeyer City Sights hand-illustrated playing cards by Stephanie Gray, 2015.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days