The English Playing Card Society
Promoting research into English card history since 1984. Members receive the EPCS magazine three times a year.
Join from £10/year
The English Playing Card Society
Promoting research into English card history since 1984. Members receive the EPCS magazine three times a year.
Join from £10/year
Hello! I have a query about two fragments of playing cards that were found under the floorboards of a 16th-century house in the London area. I am attaching a photo here. I was wondering if you might have any idea when they date to? Thank you very much for your help. With best wishes, Isabella
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Ken Lodge
19 February 2024, 12:32Thanks for sending these.
I’d say these were 16th century examples. The one with the tatty edges that looks as though it’s been burnt is the jack of clubs; the one with the big hole in the middle is most likely to be the jack of hearts, though it’s just possible that it’s the jack of spades. I’d go for the former myself.
Very interesting.
Regards,
Ken
Dr K R Lodge