
by Tony Hall

Then came Wireless Whist itself, in many forms. (Perhaps I should note for younger readers that we used to refer to the new invention of radio as “the Wireless.” Some of us still do).

Then “New” Wireless Whist...

And later, Radio Whist.

And “New Radio Whist”.

Trump Whist.

A few designs illustrated the perceived interests of the whist-playing classes in the mid-1930s! The swastika was a feature of playing cards and other games in the nineteenth century and earlier as a symbol of good luck. This can surely not be the case by the mid 1930s when the German Chancellor and his activities had many admirers amongst the British whist playing classes. I suspect that fewer of this design were made available after 1939!

There was Tournament Whist and Song Whist.


There was Novel Whist for readers and “New” Novel Whist.


Together with various forms of Hunting Whist.



By Tony Hall
Member since January 30, 2015
View ArticlesI started my interest in card games about 70 years ago, playing cribbage with my grandfather. Collecting card game materials started 50 years or so later, when time permitted. One cribbage board was a memory; two became the start of a collection currently exceeding 150!
Once interest in the social history of card games was sparked, I bought a wooden whist marker from the 1880s which was ingenious in design and unbelievably tactile. One lead to two and there was no stopping.
What happened thereafter is reflected in my articles and downloads on this site, for which I will be eternally grateful.
Also by Tony Hall
Download as Adobe Acrobat files:
"Evolution of Whist and Bridge Boxed Sets, 1870s–1930s"
"Majority Calling and Value Bidding in Auction Bridge; a little bit of history"
"The Personalities and Books which shaped the game of Whist, 1860-1900"