1968 Worshipful Company Pack
Commemorating the Games of the XIX Olympiad, Mexico, 1968 (Master: Michael J. Amberg).
As well as having his/her portrait applied to the Ace of Spades, it is the prerogative of the incoming Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards (WCMPC) to choose the subject for the backs of the cards which will be presented at his/her Installation Banquet. In 1968, the subject was an obvious one, namely the Games of the XIX Olympiad, held in Mexico.
Why was it an obvious one? The Master in 1968-9 was Michael J. Amberg (1926-2001) who had himself competed at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Although he did not win a medal on that occasion, he successfully represented England in the sabre (fencing) event at three British Empire and Commonwealth Games (1954, 1958 and 1962), winning 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals. In addition, he was a three times British fencing champion, winning the sabre title at the British Fencing Championships in 1957, 1958 and 1959. Fencing was naturally one of the 10 sports featured on the backs of the WCMPC cards in 1968.
Above: 1968 Worshipful Company Pack made by John Waddington Ltd, Leeds, UK, 1968. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers in a double plastic box within a gold presentation box. Size: 58 x 90 mm.
Reference
Thorpe, John G. The Makers of Playing Cards of London. London, UK: WCMPC; 2017.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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