Victoria Diamond Jubilee

Published February 05, 2012 Updated July 23, 2022

Playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, manufactured by Chas Goodall & Son, 1897.

1897 United KingdomCommemorativeJubileeRoyaltyGoodall

Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee, 1897

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the beginning of a new century coincided with a spate of beautifully printed commemorative packs. By this time Goodall & Son was producing a substantial output of ornate and colourful cards and back designs, printed mainly by chromolithography using up to 12 separate colours. Equally colourful ranges of calendars and almanacs appeared, as well as Christmas and New Year greetings cards. Advertising packs were also becoming more popular.

The year 1897 was packed with public spectacle designed to stir the imagination and generate pride. There was dazzling pageantry. The reverse of the commemorative playing cards shows the portrait of Queen Victoria by Bassano along with the legends “Victoria” and “1837-1897”. See the Box

Playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897 Playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897 Playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897

Above: “Victorian” playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, manufactured by Chas Goodall & Son, 1897.

avatar
1,487 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

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.

Related Articles

1981 British Monarchs

British Monarchs

Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th

2013 Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack

Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack, 2013....

1911 Ocean to Ocean Canada Souvenir

Ocean to Ocean Canada Souvenir

“Ocean to Ocean” Canadian Pictorial Souvenir packs by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd, c.1906 & 1911.

1840 The Royal Historical Game of Cards

The Royal Historical Game of Cards

The Royal Historical Game of Cards invented by Jane Roberts and published by Robert Hardwicke, c.184...

1977 Queen’s Silver Jubilee 1977

Queen’s Silver Jubilee 1977

Queen’s Silver Jubilee playing cards designed by Susan Rae for John Wadddington Ltd, 1977.

1904 Hindooly

Hindooly

Hindooly published by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd with four newly designed suits, c.1904.

Wills 200th Anniversary

Wills 200th Anniversary

Double pack commemorating the 200th anniversary of W.D & H.O. Wills Ltd, 1786 - 1986.

Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs

Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs

Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs came in various styles of box and back design, c.1890-193...

1908 Prague 1908 Jubilee

Prague 1908 Jubilee

This special pack of playing cards, published in 1908, was available at the Jubilee Exhibition held ...

1775 Rowley & Co - “Monarchs of Europe”

Rowley & Co - “Monarchs of Europe”

In around 1775 Rowley & Co attempted to reform the traditional court cards to portraits of the kings...

1885 Quits

Quits

Jaques' Quits card game, c.1880-85, with portraits of monarchs inside suit symbols in red, blue and ...

1900 Nineteenth Century Pack

Nineteenth Century Pack

A magnificent example of Goodall & Son’s range of chromolithographed Commemorative playing cards fro...

1940 New Bond

New Bond

The New Bond Fabric Finish Playing Cards, made by the Universal Playing Card Co. Ltd.

1864 Shakespeare 300th Anniversary

Shakespeare 300th Anniversary

Shakespeare 300th Anniversary playing cards designed by John Leighton (1822-1912).

1906 Boudoir

Boudoir

“Boudoir” playing cards were introduced by Chas Goodall & Son in 1906 in a new, slimmer size.

Swastika designs

Swastika designs

Swastika design playing cards by De La Rue, c.1925.

1910 Rameses Fortune Telling

Rameses Fortune Telling

The Rameses Fortune Telling Cards were manufactured by Chas. Goodall & Son Ltd, London, c.1910, arou...

1935 King Christian of Denmark

King Christian of Denmark

In 1935 a souvenir pack of playing cards to celebrate the King's 65th birthday was commissioned from...

1800 Hunt, c.1800

Hunt, c.1800

Standard English pattern playing cards manufactured by Hunt, c.1800.

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards was founded by Royal Charter in 1628.