Colour lithography was invented in 1798 by a Bavarian actor and playwright named Alois Senefelder (1771-1834). It is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix.
“Fleet Street” card game published by Chad Valley Games, c.1923
Printing of Playing Cards :: Letterpress printing. Some notes on the manufacture of playing cards taken from Thomas De la Rue's patent, 1831.
Article about Manufacture of Playing Cards, 1825: paper, pasting, stencilling, polishing, cutting, etc.
Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455
Printing of Playing Cards :: Stencilling can usually be detected by observing the outlines of the coloured areas which are often irregular with brush strokes discernible in the coloured areas.
The London College of Printing '52 Club' Designers and Artists playing cards, 1984