Christmas 1980 playing cards

Recognisable figures associated with the festive season feature on the courts in this pack – Father Christmas or Santa Claus on the Kings, the Good Fairy on the Queens, Jack Frost on the Jacks, and snowmen on the Jokers. A partridge in a pear tree is shown in black and white on the Ace of Spades and in colour on the backs, against either a blue or a yellow background. Waddingtons probably did not want it to be known that these cards were actually printed by A.S.S. in West Germany. They gave packs as Christmas presents to their best customers (see scan of gift card) and later sold packs into the collectors’ market.

Above: Christmas 1980 playing cards printed by A.S.S., Leinfelden, Germany, for Waddingtons Playing Card Co., Ltd, Leeds & London, UK, 1980. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 bridge score card in clear plastic box. Size: 57 x 89 mm.