A Pair of Transformation Packs
Two similar but fascinatingly different hand-drawn transformation decks by the same artist, c.1875
Two similar but fascinatingly different hand-drawn transformation decks by the same artist, c.1875
The drawings are executed freehand with quick and spontaneous pen strokes using a steel-nib pen, with differences in detail between the two versions so that one is not an identical replica of the other. The facial features often vary and most aspects of the ‘transformations’ are dealt with in a versatile manner. However, the artist’s rapid, sketchy style and protean sense of humour are evident in both versions. The left-hand pack more often has highlights added with white paint wheras the right-hand pack was sometimes drawn more carefully; but which pack came first is not easy to say.
The two packs were not necessarily made at the same time, maybe several years apart. The twos of diamonds include a miniature poster for plays running at the Theatre Royal. The left-hand pack mentions "Stolen Kisses". This is probably the three-act comedy play by Paul Merritt, c.1876-77. The right-hand pack advertises "Under the Gaslight", a play written by Augustin Daly, published in 1867.
Above: details from the twos of diamonds showing the theatre posters.
Above: the ace of spades and back design from the De la Rue pack, and the back from the second pack, assumed to be by Goodall & Son.
REFERENCES
Townshend, Barney: “A Pair of Transformation Packs” in The Playing-Card (Journal of the IPCS), Vol 36, No.3, Apr-June 2008 pp.190-204.
By Barney Townshend
United Kingdom • Member since October 06, 2015
Retired Airline Pilot, interested in: Transformation Playing Cards, Karl Gerich and Elaine Lewis. Secretary of the EPCS. Treasurer of the IPCS.
Activity for A Pair of Transformation Packs
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
The Paraphernalia of Card Play
Innovation and novelties in the accessories on the card table.
Hand-drawn transformation cards, c1870
Whimsical pen-and-ink drawings copied from the Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor transformation pack.
Hand-drawn transformation cards, c1875
A complete set of hand-drawn transformation cards from c1875, using a standard De La Rue pack.
The Evolution of Bezique boxed sets, 1869 to 1990
The first company to register Bezique materials with Stationers’ Hall was Josh Reynolds & Son in Sep...
Goodall 1879-1880 Sample Book
Complete contents of a sample book by Goodall & Sons
De La Rue 1932-1933 Sample Book of Advertising cards
Complete contents of a sample book of advertising cards by De La Rue
De La Rue Pocket Guides
The 19th Century saw the production, by all of the major companies, of pocket guides or “mini-books”...
Kuhn Khan and Cooncan: an update
Kuhn Khan and Cooncan are pretty much exactly the same rummy-style game, but packaged and presented ...
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...
Isle of Man playing cards by De La Rue & Goodall
Two different versions of Isle of Man playing cards from 1870 and 1914.
Pashas
“Pasha” is one of Charles Goodall’s brands which first appeared in c.1898 and was retained until aft...
Thackeray Transformation Cards
Transformation playing cards by William Makepeace Thackeray, 1876.
5: De La Rue
In December 1831 Thomas de la Rue was granted his patent for printing playing cards by letterpress.
Boudoir
“Boudoir” playing cards were introduced by Chas Goodall & Son in 1906 in a new, slimmer size.
Swastika designs
Swastika design playing cards by De La Rue, c.1925.
De La Rue Continental
During the latter part of the nineteenth century De La Rue produced two special packs of cards for t...
De La Rue
De La Rue introduced letter-press printing into playing card production and his patent was granted i...
Spanish suited pack for Nestlé
Spanish-suited pack produced by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for South America
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
