Heraldic playing cards

Reproduction of Richard Blome’s Heraldic playing cards (1684) presented to lady guests at the WCMPC Summer Meeting in 1888. The cards were originally made and “sold by Hen. Broom at the Gun in St. Pauls Churchyard where the said cards may be had in colours” [1675], and gave a thorough grounding in the art of heraldry.

Colours are represented by various types of hatching and furs are represented by shading marks. All this makes the cards difficult to interpret. Quite what the ladies made of it who knows?

Above: reproduction of Richard Blome’s Heraldic playing cards of 1684, reproduction probably printed by Woolley & Co in 1888. 52 cards, plain backs and gilt edges in a plain slide case with leaflet by George Clulow. Note: missing cards re-created by Rex Pitts.

Further References

Bonhams: Blome (Richard) Armorial Cards►

British Museum: 1896,0501.929.1-52►

Thorpe, John G: The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards of the City of London, WCMPC, London, 2001

Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards: Masters Installation Cards from 1882-1899►