Piquet: the game and its artifacts
Piquet may be the oldest card game which is still played today with origins going back to early 16th Century.
By Tony Hall
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
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Sylvanian Families mini playing cards
Miniature cards in sheet form with Sylvanian Families characters on the courts and Jokers.
Illustrated piquet cards
Bavarian piquet cards with oriental illustrations produced by Andreas Benedict Göbl, Munich, late 18...
The making of a Bridge or Bézique marker
This post-mortem was carried out on a Bezique marker which was already falling apart.
Goodall 1915-1916 Sample Book
Complete contents of a sample book by Goodall & Sons
Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements
It is often difficult to identify the origin, manufacturer and date of a card game boxed set and oth...
Will’s Cigarettes and Auction Bridge
In 1926 Will’s issued a set of 25 cigarette cards on Auction Bridge, presenting a range of hands ill...
A New Look at the Evolution of Whist Markers and Gaming Counters
This article aims to illustrate the evolution of whist and gaming counters from the 18th century to ...
Whist marker boxes
The Camden Whist marker was being advertised by Goodall and son in 1872 as a new product.
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods 1900-1930
Mystery Objects
I need help in identifying the purpose of this particular piece of card-playing kit.
What can we learn from mini-booklet advertisements?
Over the years I have collected a large number of mini-booklets and pocket guides offering rules and...
Easter Playing Cards
Egg-shaped cards with rabbit designs in soft, pastel colours for Easter.
Possible early astrological playing cards
Two early woodcuts that I believe to be playing cards.
Sweetnotes playing cards
Heart-shaped cards with sweet notes on all the backs.
Wine Labels & Chocolate Biscuits
‘Pinta en Copas’ playing card-themed wine labels sold at Día Supermarkets.
The Place of the Fool
This paper considers three questions relating to the Fool-card in the tarot-pack.
A New Year’s Greeting
in the form of playing cards
Kuhn Khan
There is little information available about the early twentieth century card game Kuhn Kahn. It firs...
Poker Patience
Poker Patience, according to an early 20th century author, was "introduced so recently as the autumn...
Piquet: the game and its artifacts
Piquet may be the oldest card game which is still played today with origins going back to early 16th...
The Personalities and Books which shaped the game of Whist, 1860-1900
All the books described here are from Tony Hall's own collection, put together over years because of...
Majority Calling and Value Bidding in Auction Bridge; a little bit of history
The centuries-old game of Whist mutated through various stages into Contract Bridge as we know it to...
Goodall & Son Patience Boxed Sets
Goodall & Son produced a huge variety of Patience Boxed Sets at different times and for different co...
The Evolution of Whist and Bridge Boxed Sets, 1870s – 1930s
Boxed sets of cards, markers, scorers and rule booklets have been around for many decades. Some of t...
Bezique Markers, 1860-1960
Bezique is a two-player melding and trick-taking game. Dr. Pole introduced Bezique to England in 186...
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.
The Jovial Cards
Publicity items for a group of entertainers, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, 1911.
Dondorf related ephemera
A few items used for advertising or displaying Dondorf playing card products.
C.L.Wüst Poster Stamps
A set of advertising poster stamps for C.L.Wüst playing cards.
Wrappers
Playing cards were traditionally sold inside paper wrappers, which were usually thrown away.
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 ...