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.
Activity for The Jovial Cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.
Kids Fun Box playing cards
Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.
Victorian grocer’s scale plate
Large flat plate decorated with highly coloured English cards and royal arms.
English Heritage
52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.
Sylvanian Families mini playing cards
Miniature cards in sheet form with Sylvanian Families characters on the courts and Jokers.
Marlow playing cards
Visitor attractions and businesses to be found in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
The Seven Ages of Man
Original paintings by Jane Daniell depicting characters from Shakespeare’s plays.
Prophet Fortune Telling Cards
Prophet Fortune Telling Cards copyright and made by Thomas de la Rue & Co., 1933.
Guinness World Records Cards
52 Guinness World Records Cards published by if, Pickering, UK, 2011.
Country Definitive Playing Cards
Modern British regional postage stamps on a set of playing cards.
Disney playing cards (Waddingtons)
Four of the stock Disney characters on a pack from Waddingtons.
Soroptimist International Scotland South Region
Celebrating 100 years of Soroptimist International, 1921-2021.
Phone and smart cards
Phonecards with playing card designs.
Marie and Laurent’s Wedding
Wedding invitation and thank you card in the form of playing cards. France, 2019.
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 ...
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 sha...
The Odd Trick
The Odd Trick - a bit of Edwardian naughtiness.
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...
Pope Joan Trays
Some traditional Pope Joan boards comprise a circular tray, others are square, divided into sections...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
