Denbro (Denny Brothers)
Denbro (Denny Brothers) c.1975-79
Denbro (Denny Brothers) c.1975-79
Denbro (Denny Brothers) were based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and produced playing cards during the late 1970s. Spotting a niche in the market, they produced small editions of advertising playing cards for local customers and for a while were able to offer smaller minimum orders than the larger manufacturers such as Waddingtons or Carta Mundi. The court cards were inspired by Waddington's "Goodall" designs, but the joker and ace of spades were original designs by Trevor Elmer. Some of their cards were passed through a process of embossing. In 1978/79 the competition began offering lower minimum quantities and pushed Denny Brothers out of the market.
Above: rare example of advertising pack manufactured by Denbro for Merit Plastic Mouldings (MPM - established in 1972, www.meritplastics.co.uk). The indices are in a distinctive Clarendon typeface and the courts are based on the designs of Goodall. The Ace of Spades includes the letters TRE, initials of designer Trevor Elmer.
Above: Denbro pack for Carlisle United Football Club. Image courtesy Roddy Somerville.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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