The Jovial Cards
Publicity items for a group of entertainers, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, 1911.
A postcard and a playing card both advertising a group of entertainers performing at the Happy Valley, Southend-on-Sea, in the summer of 1911. The playing card was probably handed out to members of the public as a sort of “flyer”. It is not on proper playing-card board. The gentle slope of the cliffs at the Happy Valley site provided a natural amphitheatre for different acts. There was a charge for the area where seating was provided but behind that the audience could stand for free. Happy Valley was replaced by the Floral Hall in 1920.
Above: the postcard.
Above: front and back of a playing card handed out to the public.
Note: I could find no information about the performers, the Jovial Cards.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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