Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements

Ct is often difficult, if not impossible at times, to identify the origin, manufacturer and date of a card game boxed set and other card game artifacts. Frequently, the I contents have been emptied out or replaced for resale, and thereby removing many of the clues necessary for identification. Sometimes a box can contain some or all of the original contents, which can be very informative, but how does one know?

In these circumstances it is worth checking particular items against advertisements of the time to answer some of the outstanding questions.

Here are a few examples.

Above: A 1921 Mudie’s advertisement for Six-Pack Bezique cases, Bezique bags and Rubicon Bezique markers.

Above: An open Mudie’s Six-Pack Bezique case in dark green Morocco leather, with markers and card compartments.

Above: A Mudie’s Rubicon Bezique marker with ivory keys and scoring indicators.

Above: The brown leather Mudie’s Six-Pack Bezique Bag described in the accompanying advertisement.

This full-page advertisement appeared in “The Laws of Six-Pack Bezique or Chinese Bezique” edited by Frederic Jessel and published by Mudie & Sons Ltd., 1921. I found it tucked deep inside the boxed set above which is quite evidently the top item in the advert. It is in dark green Morocco leather and contains six packs of gilt-edged cards, two Mudie’s Bezique markers and space for a scoring tablet, long gone. One bezique marker in the lid is held in place by an ingenious spring catch released by pulling a silk cord; the other lies flat on a shelf above the cards. Both Bezique markers are a few millimetres smaller than the standard Mudie Bezique marker to ensure that they fit comfortably in the box.

The advert at the foot of the page promotes Mudie’s standard Rubicon Bezique Markers, emphasising the ivory keys. In my copy of the article the price of a pair has been adjusted by hand to 27/6 a pair which may or may not be true.

The central item in the advert is this unmistakable leather case: “Mudie’s Six-Pack Bezique Bag” although it is in brown leather rather than the colours offered in 1921.

Above: The open Mudie’s Six-Pack Bezique Bag, showing four packs of cards and the internal compartments.

Above: A De La Rue advertisement for a Bezique Case containing two packs, two markers and card rules.

Above: A De La Rue Bezique Case covered in imitation snake paper, identified in the advertisement as model LR 3036.

Above: The open imitation-snake-paper Bezique Case, showing its cards, markers and De La Rue rules booklet.

It contains, as the ad suggests, six bezique packs, and two markers, each extracted by pulling silk ribbons. When purchased, this set also contained a brown silk-backed edition of the Jessel text published by De La Rue but “with the permission of Mudie & Son”. This book is dated 1936 so either it was added later when the set was resold, or Mudie and Sons were still selling this particular set 15 years after it was first advertised. We will probably never know.

So, by comparing these items with this particular advertisement we can identify the maker, the materials used, when they were being sold and the original contents. If this particular copy had not been altered by an unknown hand, we would also be able to tell the purchase price of one of the items at least in 1921.

This next example is rather later. It is one of a number of adverts in the back of an edition of “Rubicon Bezique and Bezique” from De La Rue with a margin date of 1/37 (1937).

Above: The closed imitation-snake-paper Bezique case marked “Bezique”.

Above: The open Bezique case with De La Rue cards, Rubicon Bezique markers and its original compartments.

Above: A De La Rue advertisement for Patience Cases in various styles and leathers.

Above: A De La Rue Patience case with a textured leather exterior and purple silk lining.

The box is a little worn but is obviously covered in the “imitation snake paper” referred to in the advert.

My copy of the box still contains its original advertised contents: two unopened packs of De La Rue cards, two markers and the DLR book of card rules.

Comparing the advert with the box we can discover a number of things. First, we can see the style of whist marker which was being used at this time in the cheapest of sets available. These basic cardboard markers are a long way from the expensively produced and stylish wooden and ivory markers used in more expensive sets. Secondly, although the advert for this box appeared in the 1937 edition of the mini-book, the box itself contained a later version of the booklet, probably from the early 1940s, when these

Above: An earlier advertisement for De La Rue Patience Cases in various styles and leathers.

Above: An open Patience case with purple silk lining, two packs of cards and a booklet compartment.

Above: Three small Patience cases in red, brown and black leather finishes.

Above: A leather Patience case containing card packs and its internal storage compartments.

boxes were still being advertised.1 Having identified and dated this box by reference to the advert, it is easy to do the same with another box in the collection with identical “imitation snake paper”, and gold lettering, but exactly twice the size and containing twice as many cards and markers. ^[1] cover or inside, or both. From around 1939 into the 1940s, the reference to Goodall was usually omitted.

A further example comes from the same 1937 mini-book; one of the many Patience cases produced by De La Rue . The design is unmistakable, as is the textured silk covering of the book of instructions. We know therefore that this was made by De La Rue and that this model was being sold at the end of the 1930s, but not where it sits precisely on the price range from 3/- to 25/-. However, as it is made in brown, textured leather and had a purple silk lining, it seems likely that this was at or near the top of the range when originally sold.

Above: A Goodall’s advertisement for the Club and Camden Bezique markers, along with Bezique markers and scoring tablets.

Above: The wooden Goodall’s Club Bezique marker with ivory scoring keys.

Above: The Camden Bezique marker manufactured by Chas. Goodall & Son.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for Camden Whist and Bezique markers with indicators on patent metallic springs.

Inside the purple mini-book (above) is the following advert. One can see instantly that this is a De La Rue product, and further items from my collection (see below) illustrate some of the “various styles and leathers” advertised as available. This particular set is labelled inside by the retailer – J. C. Vickery, - “to their majesties the King & Queen” (George VI & Queen Elizabeth, but is evidently produced by De La Rue.

Here is an example of the second item shown. This is a patience box with a light leather exterior, silver corners and a blue silk lining. Sadly, the cards inside when acquired were not the originals and the instruction book was missing. However, we now know precisely when this was made and by whom so it would be possible to reconstruct the original package, Our next example is from 1922, the year that Goodall & Son was taken over by De La Rue. This is the Goodall’s “Club” bezique marker, in olive wood and ivory, shown next to the smaller “Camden” which is described but not pictured.

The Camden Whist marker was frequently advertised after 1888 by Goodall in their mini-books. This ad is from 19082 and makes it possible to identify, not only the period during which it was sold, but also the types of wood used.

Above: A Camden Whist marker in wood with its dark scoring indicators.

Above: The smaller Camden Tom Thumb Whist Marker, designed for carrying in a pocket.

Above: The reverse of a Camden Tom Thumb marker, showing its wooden body and scoring keys.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for the patented Foster Whist Marker for long or short whist.

Specific mention is made of the “Tom Thumb size, especially suitable for the pocket”. A pair is shown here in size relative to the Camden marker above.

Similarly, the Foster Whist Marker was constantly advertised in Goodall’s mini- books after it was launched in 1890. This example is also from 1908 and shows a pair in a variety of light and dark woods. ^[2] I have always thought that this longstanding advert is somewhat disingenuous as it describes the marker as being for both “Long or Short Whist”. Clearly this is untrue as it is specifically designed to score points up to a maximum of five (ie. short whist).

The Mudie’s “Improved” version of the Foster Marker was being advertised (1891)3, almost immediately after the Foster Marker was launched. Improved only by the addition of round ivory, rather than square, markers on one edge. And the claim that this is “the only Spring-acting Marker that shows nothing but the score” seems to ignore the existance of all the spring-based predecessors – Camden, Pall Mall, not to mention the original Foster design itself. But we do get the price point to enable us to judge just how expensive these items were at the time: 7s 6d in 1891 is roughly the equivalent of £39 in 2023!4 ^{[3] [4]} From a 1922 Goodall’s mini-book we have an advert for boxes of “Elfin” patience cards, alongside one example of this genre. There are many others described

Above: An opened Foster Whist Marker with its wooden scoring board and black case.

Above: Mudie’s advertisement for the Improved Foster Whist Marker, priced at 7s 6d a pair in 1891.

Above: A Mudie’s Improved Foster Whist Marker, showing its round ivory indicators and Goodall manufacture label.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for Patience cards, Patience boxes and Elfin cards.

elsewhere,5 but all are handmade in a huge “variety of shapes” and different materials – “Leather, Wood, Cloth or enamelled Cardboard” and all “containing two packs – Plain or Gilt Edges”.

In 1908, Elfin cards are also available in “Patience Boxes, in Leather, Cloth or enamelled cardboard in a Variety of Shapes”. Here are just three examples of the variety available. All of different materials, different catches and colours and all hand- made. Such variety would simply not be possible or financially viable if they had been produced entirely by machines. ^[5] In 1906, Goodall & Son published the mini-book “Draw-Bridge” by Charles W.

Diehl for the first time. One must assume that the various types of equipment to play this two-handed version of the game were produced at the same time and here are the two common adverts from that time.

Above: A small red Patience box with its lid raised to show the instruction booklet inside.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for Patience boxes containing two packs of cards and Elfin cards.

Above: Three Patience boxes in different colours and leather finishes, illustrating the variety of designs available.

Above: An advertisement for Draw-Bridge automatic partners, including the Compact Model 10474.

1910 1909 The first advert illustrates the wooden boards available, in two different styles. The second promotes the patented game and the more up-market cabinet combining the materials and instructions to play both Bridge and Draw-Bridge.

Here is an example of the boxed Compact Model 10474, containing two boards of the kind shown.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for Draw-Bridge and combined Bridge and Draw-Bridge cabinets for two players.

Above: The packaging for Goodall’s Draw-Bridge Compact Model, using two automatic partners.

Above: The two wooden Draw-Bridge boards used to hold the cards during play.

Above: The closed leather case for a combined Bridge and Draw-Bridge set.

And here is the advertised, more expensive combined version containing the Diehl booklet dated 1909, the same year as the advertisement. However, the second book in the set, “Bridge” by Professor Hoffmann, is dated 1912 and is the 22 edition, indicationg just how popular the first stage of the transition from whist to bridge was at the time. (By 1913, Goodall’s had produced an additional mini-book related to this equipment: “Royal Auction Draw-Bridge” by “Viator”.) The box contains, not only the two instruction booklets, but the the two wooden Draw-Bridge boards, two packs of cards, and two “Acme” Bridge scoring tablets, complete with metal-crowned pencils.

Next is another great example of making an obvious link between an advert from 1898 and an item. The drawing is an unmistakable image of the box underneath, from the writing on the lid to the texture on the leather and the brass alloy catch. A quality De La Rue late 19th century product with prices “from 11/3” (11s 3d) which, taking account of 125 years of inflation, is the equivalent of £60 or so today. Not a cheap item.

It is a beautiful example in red leather, and just about perfect condition. It comprises two (unopened) packs of King Henry the VIII “Dexter” Harry’s cards, two matching leather-backed score pads with triangular pencils and Cavendish’s Pocket Guide to Piquet (6th edition) dated 1898. I am never sure how an item of this kind can survive its 120 years and look as if it has just left the shop which first sold it. A remarkable survivor.

Above: An open combined Bridge and Draw-Bridge set with cards, booklets and a scoring tablet.

Above: A De La Rue advertisement for Piquet cases in various leathers, priced from 11s 3d each.

Above: The closed red leather Piquet case with its title stamped in gilt.

Above: An open Piquet set containing two packs of cards, the sixth-edition Cavendish guide and a scoring pad.

Next, Poker Patience. We know from Michael Goodall’s account6 that Goodall published the first edition of “Poker Patience” by Charles W. Diehl in 1908, and other reprints followed. I have speculated elsewhere7 that there might have been some kind of link between Goodall and The Court Series of Poker-Patience boards. However, I have searched long and hard to seek confirmation that Goodall also produced boxed sets for this particular game, Finally, when preparing this article, in all my library of ^{[6] [7]} card game books I have found only one advert (dated August, 1912 ) confirming that Goodall produced not only the Diehl booklet, but boxed sets of poker-patience cards.

Having had this confirmed, I have been able to re-examine my collection of poker patience sets and establish two that were evidently made by Goodall. Previously, one could not be sure, or that the contents were original to the box; now we can with much greater confidence.

The first box pictured above is made of textured card, typical of Goodall boxes, and 10 x 8 x 5 cm. It contains two packs of (well-used) “Elfin” cards, the Diehl booklet and two blocks of “Elfin” Poker-Patience Scoring Tablets The second is much larger (16 x 11 x 6 cms), but with made with similarly textured card and carrying the gold-leaf name on the lid in exactly the same script as the smaller one. ^[8] It is dark-green shading to black on the outside with a green silk lining. It has four packs of medium-sized Goodall cards and a huge stack of poker-patience scoring cards published by C.G & S Ltd. One more mystery solved courtesy of an advert!

Above: A Goodall advertisement for Linette playing cards and Poker Patience outfits.

Above: The closed black and green Poker Patience case with its name stamped in gilt.

Above: An open Poker Patience set with cards, Charles W. Diehl’s booklet and an Elfin scoring tablet.

Above: The worn black exterior of a Goodall Poker Patience case.

Interestingly, in terms of pinning down production dates, the Goodall boxed sets of poker patience cards were not advertised in the 1908 Poker-Patience booklet itself, which would have been an obvious source of promotion if the items had been available at the time. The earliest advert I can find was in 1912 which suggests that the sets were produced only when popularity of this new patience game had become established. i.e. by 1912.

I will close with a cautionary tale. When I first acquired this next item it looked likely to be an example of the De La Rue “Portland” Bridge case advertised in 19019. It follows the description in the advertisement precisely in terms of materials and contents, although the sketch in the ad appears to be less elongated than my example.

These variations do occur when reliant on artists’ drawings. Nevertheless, there is much going for it. The word “Bridge “ on the lid is in exactly the same script. The lid and catch is exactly as pictured. The two scoring blocks inside are DLR’s standard “reversible” variety, and carry two DLR “Onoto” triangular pencils. Sadly, my copy did not have the promised “Pocket Guide to Bridge” by Boaz. ^[9] And yet, on closer inspection it is not right. It certainly appears to be by De La Rue as the similarities with the advertisement are striking. But the scoring blocks inside, clearly designed to fit the box and match the interior materials, are not only for Bridge, but also for Auction Bridge and Royal Auction Bridge, both of which were developed much later than the date of the advert. A cautionary tale, but one which

Above: The green silk-lined interior of a Poker Patience case with its scoring cards.

Above: A Goodall advertisement for the Portland Bridge Case, supplied with cards, scoring blocks and the Pocket Guide to Bridge.

Above: A surviving leather Bridge case resembling the Portland model shown in the advertisement.

illustrates well that comparison of items with advertisements can help to identify an object; in this case to confirm that it is probably produced be De La Rue, but if so, it was much later than the “Portland” Bridge Case presented in the advert shown.

And the conclusion?, don’t ignore the adverts but use them to identify a host of key details about an object which has been found, but do so with caution. Good hunting!