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The Peerless Playing Card Company, London c.1890

Published July 03, 1996 Updated May 27, 2022

James English's playing card factory was re-named Peerless in around 1880 when the title Peerless Card Company appeared on the ace of spades.

United Kingdom The Peerless Playing Card Company Peerless

The Peerless Playing Card Company, London c.1890

ace of spades back

ames English's playing card factory was re-named Peerless in around 1880 when the title Peerless Card Company appeared on the ace of spades. The non-standard 'fancy' pack shown here was produced in around 1890. The pseudo-French medieval courts were designed by Aymer Vallance, a follower of William Morris.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


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