47: Welch’s postcards and De La Rue’s redrawing
There are a number of court card designs that have never actually been produced as cards. It's a shame some of them never were.
J. Welch produced a large number of postcards around the turn of the twentieth century. One set showed a young woman holding a hand of cards on one half and the other half was a playing card. The cards she is holding are those of De La Rue (see the image of the full postcard below) and there are a few number cards, with and without indices. But there's a full set of court cards, which have clearly been designed specially for the postcard firm. They would have made a splendid pack of cards!
Here's a slideshow of the full postcards with the De la Rue ace of spades clearly showing on the king of spades.
Even De La Rue tried to redesign their courts in the 1930s, but only two were drawn and so they were never printed.
Interestingly, though, the Crown court cards of an unusual 5-suit bridge pack by De La Rue have similar design features, even though they are not traditional figures at all.
Thanks to Paul Symons for the scan.
By Ken Lodge
United Kingdom • Member since May 14, 2012 • Contact
I'm Ken Lodge and have been collecting playing cards since I was about eighteen months old (1945). I am also a trained academic, so I can observe and analyze reasonably well. I've applied these analytical techniques over a long period of time to the study of playing cards and have managed to assemble a large amount of information about them, especially those of the standard English pattern. About Ken Lodge →
Related Articles
The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge
A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.
Victorian grocer’s scale plate
Large flat plate decorated with highly coloured English cards and royal arms.
Whist marker boxes
The Camden Whist marker was being advertised by Goodall and son in 1872 as a new product.
Mystery Objects
I need help in identifying the purpose of this particular piece of card-playing kit.
The Jovial Cards
Publicity items for a group of entertainers, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, 1911.
Leather Card Case Patent Application
In 1932, a patent was granted to Colin Hart and George Franklin for a leather case in the form of a ...
69: My Collection
This is an archive list of my collection. I hope it will be of use and interest to others.
68: Playing cards in glass
My wife and I have recently commissioned a unique pair of stained glass windows for our home.
67: Adverts and related material after 1900
The final page of material relating to playing cards from British periodicals.
50: Joseph Reynolds
A presentation of my database of Reynolds cards.
The Odd Trick
The Odd Trick - a bit of Edwardian naughtiness.
39: Mixed Packs
A number of mixed packs appear for sale from time to time, but it's important to sort out what is me...
Music Manuscripts
Artwork featuring playing cards in Music Manuscripts
Draughts League Medals
Arthur Charles Prince worked for De la Rue as a playing card cutter and later was promoted to superv...
29: James English
An overview of the courts and aces of spades produced by James English
Pope Joan Trays
Some traditional Pope Joan boards comprise a circular tray, others are square, divided into sections...
5: De La Rue
In December 1831 Thomas de la Rue was granted his patent for printing playing cards by letterpress.
2: Still Collecting Playing Cards at 80
This is a personal account of some of my experiences collecting playing cards.
Lottery Scratch Playing Card
Move your mouse over the scratch area...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
