Hand-drawn transformation cards, c1870
Whimsical pen-and-ink drawings copied from the Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor transformation pack.
If one has the good fortune to acquire an old, hand-drawn transformation pack, it can be fun trying to discover whether the artist has used an existing, printed set as a model. That is definitely the case here. The anonymous pen-and-ink drawings are clearly based on the Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor (MMM) transformation pack which dates from soon after 1862¹. As the pack shown here includes a few unturned Goodall courts, it is quite likely that the drawings were done not long after the MMM pack was first issued, i.e., c1870. Certainly, the cards have been well loved as there is a neat, old repair to the 2 of Spades.
Comparing the drawings with those found in the MMM pack, the similarities are striking, except on the following cards. The 8 of Hearts is a totally original design, showing three ladies wearing bonnets above three gentlemen (similar to the 10 of Hearts). Was the 8 of Hearts missing from the pack being copied? The Ace of Clubs is a rather wild image but there is still a human face at its centre. Finally, the artist has made no attempt to overlap the animals on the 6 of Clubs.
Above: Hand-drawn transformation cards, anonymous artist, c1870. 43 cards out of 52 (missing: Ace, Jack of Spades; King, Queen, Jack of Hearts; King, Queen of Clubs; Queen, Jack of Diamonds). Size: 63 x 92 mm.
Mention should also be made of the delightful back design: two bullfinches in a leafy setting, with one of them sitting on a nest, against a pale pink background.
Reference
1. Field, Albert. Transformation Playing Cards. Stamford, CT, USA: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.; 1987. pp 119-126.
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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