Jonathan Hocus Pocus

“Jonathan Hocus Pocus” conjuring cards

Early 19th century set of 6 etched and coloured playing-cards for conjuring, of which the first is a single-ended figure of a magician, wearing an interesting hat and footwear, and the rest are double-ended with burlesque figures arranged diagonally, sanguine and jovial at one end, less so at the other end. There are no suit signs, inscriptions or index numbers and the backs are plain.

The wrapper has a figure of “Jonathan Hocus Pocus, Prince of Conjurers” with a large pot-belly, and the text running down his back “Printed and sold by G. Martin, 6 Great St Thomas Apostle, London”.

Reference

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (English 134) [digital version here]

Above: “Jonathan Hocus Pocus” conjuring cards published by G. Martin, 6 Great St Thomas Apostle, London, early 19th century. Hand-coloured etching, backs plain. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Jonathan Hocus Pocus, Prince of Conjurers►

“Magic Swans” conjuring cards

“Magic Swans” is a set of 6 playing-cards for conjuring on each of which is a figure of a swan holding a long banderole bearing 32 numerals. These cards are less visually interesting than the Hocus Pocus set so the conjuror's performance must have made up for this. The wrapper reads “The Magic Swans or Feather’d Conjurers who will discover any secret Number or Age of any Person in Company” with the address of G. Martin and on the inside are “Directions to Play”.

• See the Directions to Play►

Above: “Magic Swans” conjuring cards published by G. Martin, 6 Great St Thomas Apostle, London, early 19th century. Hand-coloured etching, backs plain. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Magic Swans►

Reference

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (English 133) [digital version here]