Boudoir
“Boudoir” playing cards were introduced by Chas Goodall & Son in 1906 in a new, slimmer size.
Boudoir playing cards
“Boudoir” playing cards were introduced by Chas Goodall & Son in 1906 in a new, slimmer size, measuring only 90 x 57 mms instead of 90 x 63mms. In 1921 the Company was sold to De la Rue, but the Camden Works was kept operational until its closure in 1929. Goodall cards and trade marks continued to be sold under the Goodall label, although manufactured by De la Rue, until De la Rue was blitzed during the war in 1940. Some brands were continued even longer, printed by Waddingtons.
Above: double set of Goodall's “Boudoir” playing cards sealed in the original tax wrappers inside a padded box, c.1930. The gold edges to the cards can be seen at the corners of the wrappers, whilst the name of Thos De la Rue & Co appears on the tax wrappers. The “Boudoir” brand had been acquired when De la Rue took over Goodall & Son in 1921.
During the 1930s identical packs were sold apparantly haphazardly under the De la Rue and Goodall names, with De la Rue and Goodall Aces of Spades and Jokers sometimes used indiscriminately - De la Rue packs with Goodall Aces of Spades and De la Rue Joker; Goodall packs with De la Rue Ace and Joker, etc. In this way various De la Rue and Goodall brands were being sold together, as seen in the advertising leaflet shown below.
Above: publicity leaflet featuring De la Rue's “Pneumatic” and Goodall's “Boudoir” playing cards, c.1930. The “Boudoir” brand had been acquired when De la Rue took over Goodall & Son in 1921.
Above: pack of Goodall's “Boudoir” brand playing cards with 'Venice' back design and the Goodall ace of spades and joker, manufactured by De la Rue, c.1934. Courtesy Matt Probert. An alternative design can be noted on the metallic badge. The box quotes the patent number 402534 and the original patent application can be viewed here►
Above: single pack of Goodall's “Boudoir” playing cards with the Goodall ace of spades and joker printed by De la Rue, c.1935-39.
References:
Goodall, Michael H: Chas Goodall & Son: The Family and The Firm 1820-1922, Woking, 2000
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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