Hardy & Sons

clubs back.jpg
clubs.jpg
court cards only.jpg
diamonds backs.jpg
diamonds.jpg
hearts back.jpg
hearts.jpg
spades back.jpg
spades.jpg

Since I posted the last discussion here I have not had any replies to help with this deck identification, but since then I have done more research myself and the deck looks to be made by Hardy although I am not sure of the year. I saw information on this website showing Hardy & Sons (1784 - 1840). The backs of mine being uncolored may be an indication of the year.(?)

Would someone help me with this please?

These cards were bought by my mother for me at a flea market when she was visiting France back in the 1980's or possibly 1990's. I can't quite remember exactly but that's not important. I had assumed they were French because of that but now I see that is not so. It is an English deck.

I would like to sell this deck but not on ebay or etsy or a site like that. I think there are too many playing card decks identified as antique that are not, so I would fear that some folks might think them reproductions which would hurt a decent price.

That's another thing! I do not know their worth but I would trust people from this website.

The partial deck has 47 cards. The important Ace of Spades is sadly missing though.


1 comment

Roddy Somerville's Avatar'

I am not convinced that these cards are all from the same original deck. There are several reasons for saying this. First, some cards appear to have much more rounded corners (through wear) than others. Second - and this is not easy to see - some of the framelines look black and some look blue. Third, the shapes of the pips are not consistent: look, for example, at the 9 and 8 of Hearts or the 10 and 6 of Spades. Fourth, the Queen of Spades appears to me to be from an earlier deck. So, my conclusion is that this is a mixed deck. Given this and the overall condition, I fear you may have difficulty finding a buyer. Sorry not to be more positive.


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