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"
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Khanhoo
Khanhoo by Charles Goodall & Son, 1895.
Rainbow
Rainbow card game and colour mixing guide printed by Goodall & Sons for Robert Johnson, c.1920.
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TDC Inc.
“TDC Inc.: a 20th Century American Playing Card Maker” by Michael Cooper.
66: Adverts and related material 1862-1900
Some further material relating to cards from nineteenth and twentieth century periodicals.
Ocean to Ocean Canada Souvenir
“Ocean to Ocean” Canadian Pictorial Souvenir pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd, c.1912.
Ocean to Ocean Souvenir of Canada, c.1905
Ocean to Ocean Souvenir of Canada by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd, c.1905.
1893 Worshipful Company Pack
Worshipful Company Pack manufactured by Chas Goodall & Son, 1893.
60: Some less common Goodall packs, 1875-95
There are some interesting packs from Goodall in the last quarter of the 19th century.
International Football Whist
International Football Whist published by Pepys Games, 1947.
No.4 Special Whist
No.4 Special Whist (American Skat) playing cards made by the Russell & Morgan Printing Company, 1889.
Dal Negro Bridge set
Dal Negro Bridge set featuring old Vienna pattern courts.
Spectrum Bridge by Cartamundi
Spectrum Bridge by Cartamundi
Five Suit Bridge
Five Suit Bridge was invented in Vienna in 1937 by Walter W. Marseille and Dr. Paul Stern.
Pashas
“Pasha” is one of Charles Goodall’s brands which first appeared in c.1898 and was retained until after the De la Rue takeover.
Hindooly
Hindooly published by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd c.1904.
Progressive Whist Cards
There are references to “progressive whist” or “whist drives” during the 19th and early years of the 20th century but this form of the game came into its own during the 1920s and 30s.
Historic Shakespeare
Historic Shakespeare with courts featuring Shakespearean characters, Chas Goodall & Son, 1893.
53: Some recent acquisitions
The following items are a selection of what has come my way over the past two to three years.
52: The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man has always been a tax haven within the British Isles and it has also had some interesting packs of cards.
Derby Day
Derby Day race game published by Parker Games’ English subsidiary at Ivy Lane, London, from 1908 to around 1920.
Hunter’s Bridge
“Hunter’s Bridge” playing cards by ASS depicting animals and associated symbols of hunting, c.1976.
Bridge Challenger
“Bridge Challenger” by Fidelity Electronics, 1975
Atlantic Playing Card Co
Atlantic Playing Card Co., Inc. promoted Bridge Ensemble boxes and companion accessories.
A Pair of Transformation Packs
Two similar but fascinatingly different hand-drawn transformation decks by the same artist, c.1875
Whist and Gaming Counters and Markers
History.of Whist and Gaming Counters and Markers from the 18th Century to modern times.
Canasta
Canasta is a card game of the Rummy family which originated in Uruguay probably about 1947
The Invention of Bridge
“The Invention of Bridge” - a humorous story by Larry Lefkowitz.
Our Ship
The “New Game of Our Ship”, published by Chas Goodall & Son, London, 1896.
Goodall c.1845-60
Goodall’s earliest cards were traditional in appearance but in around 1845 ‘modernised’ courts were designed
Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs
Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs came in various styles of box and back design, c.1890-1930.
Club Bridge
Modiano’s ‘Club Bridge’ is a new edition of a stylish deck originally published in c.1895.
34: Design Copies
Some copies of the designs of Goodall and the New York Consolidated Card Co.
27: Cards at Strangers’ Hall, Norwich
There is a very interesting collection of playing cards held at the Strangers' Hall Museum in Norwich.
Japanesque
Goodall’s “Japanesque” brand was used for stationery products since around 1880 but these playing cards were added to the range in around 1900.
Trophy Whist
Trophy Whist No.39 playing cards published by the the United States Playing Card Co., 1895.
Nineteenth Century Pack
A magnificent example of Goodall & Son’s range of chromolithographed Commemorative playing cards from the late nineteenth century..
20: English Card-Makers 1761-1905
An initial survey of 19th century playing-card production. More detailed information appears on other pages.
12: Goodall & Son
Charles Goodall & Son, 1820-1922 and beyond.
7: Brands and Packs
The introduction of brands commenced during the late 19th century as a development of the old qualities: Moguls, Harrys, Highlanders and Merry Andrews.