Geographical Playing Cards, c.1682

Geographical playing cards sold by Henry Brome, second edition, c.1682.

Geographical and other instructional playing cards were becoming a trend during the seventeenth century, often showing maps or, as in this case, a compendium of information. In this example the cards were advertised as “used for the recreation in all our English Games, so they are useful to all ingenious persons for obtaining a system of universal geography, which, by this contrivance, is rendered pleasant and familiar to all capacities”.

The greater portion of each card is occupied by a geographical account of various countries, including longitude and latitude, a systematic classification of which is given on the ace of each suit. The court cards have a central cartouche depicting kings, queens, ethnic groupings and dignitaries of the period. Hearts represents Europe, spades = Africa, diamonds = Asia and clubs = America. Similar sets were produced in France, Germany and Italy at around this date.

Brome priced the cards at one shilling if plain, two shillings and six pence if gilt & embellished and two shillings if bound in a book.

The numeral cards continue down to the four 10s.