Hunt & Sons, 1820-1849
Hunt & Sons (1820-1849) was the first maker to modernise the court card designs with a complete re-drawing.
Playing Cards manufactured by Hunt & Sons, 1820-1849
Having started in 1790 as Hunt, the company became Hunt & Sons in 1820. Hunt and Hall & Bancks joined forces in 1840, but kept separate aces and courts until the change to Bancks Brothers in 1849.
Above: 32 card pack with small size courts and George III garter ace of spades showing one shilling and six pence duty, manufactured by Hunt & Sons. Image courtesy John Sings.
Above: 'Superfine' woodblock and stencil playing cards with George III garter ace of spades manufactured by Hunt & Sons, c.1820.
Hunt & Sons (1821-1840) was the first maker to 'modernise' the court card designs with a complete re-drawing which were printed mechanically by stereotype (below). These also became the house style of their successors Bancks Brothers►
Above: standard pack with modernised courts and George IV garter ace of spades showing one shilling and sixpence duty manufactured by Hunt & Sons, c.1822. Image courtesy John Sings.
Above: playing cards with re-drawn, 'rationalised' designs and 'Old Frizzle' ace of spades by Hunt & Sons, c.1830.
Above: playing cards issued by Hunt & Sons, c.1830s. Small size cards 56mm x 84mm with 'Old Frizzle' ace of spades. The court cards had been introduced by Stopforth in the Garter period. Image courtesy John Sings. Next page: Bancks Brothers►
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
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.
Related Articles
76: Transitions: Hunt & Sons
Styles change and technology develops. This means that it's possible to see transition periods in th...
Transformation c.1880
Transformation playing cards hand-drawn on a pack manufactured by Hunt’s Playing Card Manufacturing ...
John Waddington Ltd, early type
John Waddington Ltd, early type Ace of Spades and court cards, 1922-30.
Brotherton, 1789-1840
Brotherton is recorded as operating at 13 Little Britain (London) from 1789-1840. In 1851 his factor...
Hardy
The Hardy family of playing card manufacturers began with Henry Hardy (1784-89) and continued throug...
Berkshire Printing Co.
The company was founded in 1908 as the printing division of the Brooke Bond Tea Company in Reading. ...
Denbro (Denny Brothers)
Denbro (Denny Brothers) c.1975-79
Hunt, 1790-1801
Packs manufactured by Hunt, c.1800.
Reynolds non-standard
Sometime around c.1850 Reynolds & Sons produced this non-standard or variant pack with courts inspir...
Games & Print Services
Games & Print Services Limited, of Canvey Island, now part of Cartamundi.
Hunt, c.1800
Standard English pattern playing cards manufactured by Hunt, c.1800.
Playing cards in Wales - Welsh playing cards
Whereas the distinctiveness of Wales is an important resource contributing to the rich texture of va...
J & W Mitchell, Birmingham
This rare Victorian manufacturer made standard English playing cards for a short period during the l...
James English & Co.
Victorian Playing Cards manufactured by James English & Co., London, c.1875
History of English Playing Cards & Games
The History of English Playing Cards dates probably from the mid 15th century
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series.
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933.
Waddington’s Varsity Series
Waddington’s Varsity Series.
Waddington’s “Rural England” Series, 1933
Waddington’s "Rural England" Series, 1933.
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
