Hoyle and his Legacy
Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) was an English writer who made his name by writing on whist and a selection of other games.
By Tony Hall
United Kingdom • Member since January 30, 2015
I started my interest in card games about 70 years ago, playing cribbage with my grandfather. Collecting card game materials started 50 years or so later, when time permitted. One cribbage board was a memory; two became the start of a collection currently exceeding 150!
Once interest in the social history of card games was sparked, I bought a wooden whist marker from the 1880s which was ingenious in design and unbelievably tactile. One lead to two and there was no stopping.
What happened thereafter is reflected in my articles and downloads on this site, for which I will be eternally grateful.
Related Articles
Solo Whist
A distinctive British trick-taking game that emerged in the mid-19th century.
Quaterne
A Victorian quartet-style children’s card game by Goodall & Son.
Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...
Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...
Gibson’s History of England
History without tears for young and old, 1920s.
The Club Series by G. Bell & Sons
George Bell & Sons produced ‘The Club Series’ of books each specialising in one or more of the popul...
Hoyle v Foster: whose name should we remember?
Hoyle’s name is associated with the rules by which many games are played, particularly card games B...
Whist writers and their pseudonyms
Why did so many early writers about whist and other card games feel the need to write under a pseudo...
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods 1900-1930
Pinochle
I have always been intrigued by the game Pinochle.
Gulliver’s Travels
Gulliver’s Travels card game no.293 published by Piatnik, c.1950.
Dickens Snap
Dickens Snap, c.1890.
Mary Whitmore Jones and her Chastleton Patience Board
Mary Whitmore Jones and her Chastleton Patience Board by Tony Hall.
Wonderland Misfitz
Wonderland Misfitz by C.W. Faulkner & Co. Ltd, c.1908.
Have A Go
Have A Go card game published by Photo-Briton Ltd featuring photographs of waxwork figures from Mada...
Beatrix Potter’s Rummy
Beatrix Potter’s Rummy published by Gibsons Games, c.1985.
Just William
Just William, drawn by Thomas Henry, published by Pepys Games in 1952.
Strip Tease
‘Strip Tease’ card game featuring characters involved in the performance and subsequent prosecution ...
Alice in Wonderland Snap
Alice in Wonderland “Snap” 1 penny game from 1920s or 30s, made in Germany, anonymous manufacturer. ...
Dartex
Dartex, the Thrilling New Card Game of Skill (1938) based on the traditional pub game where darts ar...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days