William Warter
William Warter's Proverbial Cards, which carry illustrations of old English proverbs, were first published in 1698.
William Warter’s Proverbial Cards, 1698
William Warter's Proverbial Cards, which carry illustrations of old English proverbs, were first published in 1698. William Warter was a London stationer whose shop was at the Signe of the Talbott, over against Fetter Lane End of Fleet Street, London at least as early as 1682. The pack of playing cards was one of a series which appeared from about 1675 onwards which consisted of a set of pictures with captions relating to a theme of the day, with suitmarks and numerals in the corner, or in some cases, miniature playing cards as well. Some of these packs were educational, others political, geographical or arithmetical, but the Proverbial Cards were simply for amusement.
The images on the cards are of historical interest as illustrations of late 17th century life. The proverbs are part of our traditional popular culture, well suited to a pack of playing cards!
Read the Leaflet►
Coloured Cards
William Warter's Proverbial Cards were sold uncoloured, but often they were hand-coloured by their owners. Rex Pitts has filling a bit of time by colouring these repros of political style cards.
“Being in lock down has made very little difference to my daily round since retirement. I spent a lot of time driving around before that as I was a packaging salesman covering Norfolk and Suffolk doing around 20,000 miles a year. That was a big change so I had a lot more time to devote to collecting but I missed all the customers and the antique shops and charity shops I visited when travelling around (last year I did 850 miles!). I am lucky enough to have a wonderful next door but one neighbour Clare who takes me shopping with her so that she can hump all the groceries around. I have a blood condition where I have to have blood transfusions every 3 or 4 weeks and I get out of breath very quickly. Clare used also to clean my house every week but COVID-19 stopped that and she became, unofficially, my carer. I hope that soon she will be able to resume doing that when we have all been vaccinated.”
“This pandemic has brought out the best in most people and that is a gift and a reminder to us that we are part of a (mostly) friendly and helpful society.”
Rex has also made a few card games in the time he had to fill. The Gilbert and Sullivan game, 2 Old Fashioned Snap games, a copy of an Edwardian handmade pack Squires Household.
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.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Sweetule Natural History cards
Small cards featuring natural history subjects, given away with packets of sweet cigarettes.
Lend Me Five Shillings
or “Her Majesty’s Privy Purse” - a merry round-the-table game published by D. Ogilvy.
Laughing Made Easy
a Victorian card game published by D. Ogilvy.
Classic Card Games for Kids
A boxed set of playing cards, Happy Families and an alphabet pack with rules for 22 games.
Le Roi bridge
Reprint of a Piatnik (Budapest) pack of 1927 with Hungarian historical figures and scenic aces.
So-Lah – A Game of Music
An early 20th century domino-type musical card game by Goodall.
Marmite
Fifty-Four images celebrating a UK savoury spread, that has been around one hundred and twenty two y...
Word Making and Word Taking
How crossword and spelling games became popular.
Film Noir
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating hard boiled heroes, wise-cracking women, mean streets, guns and gums...
Science Fiction
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating a time when Science Fiction truly was, Science Fiction.
The Beatles playing cards
Two packs featuring photos of The Beatles issued by the same publisher in 2004 and 2005.
Costume Playing Cards
Four centuries of costumes from the Costume Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
Pin-Ups
A deck of 55 cards celebrating a golden age of cheeky, naughty, bold and curvy ladies in film.
Classic Movie Posters
A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.
That’s Entertainment
A deck of 55 cards celebrating 20th Century vaudeville, musicals and cabaret.
British Monarchs
Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th
Rock & Pop Legends
Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.
The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...
Jeu Bonaparte
Jeu Bonaparte depicting the extended family of Napoleon Bonaparte, France, 1978
Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens
Reproduction of Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens relating to the Phrygian cap (or liberty cap), France, 198...
Dutch Court playing cards
Games & Print Services’ version of the Dutch pattern.
Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack, 2013....
The Search for New Games in the late 19th century
A few new games survived and are still around today; most came and went and are only witnessed in th...
Miniature Card Dominoes
A miniature set of Goodall domino cards (5.9 x 3.5 cms) still in perfect condition.
T. Drayton & Son
Bezique and Whist boxed sets by T. Drayton & Son, London, c.1875.
Colour doodle deck
“1952-2002 commemorative deck” customised with doodles by an uncredited artist, UK, 2011.
The Lovers playing cards
Reproductions of old postcards with romantic messages for Valentine’s Day.
Safety playing cards
Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.
Carte Osteologiche
Skulls and bones of all descriptions have become the suits and pips in this 40-card pack from Italy....
Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here
Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.
Portrait de Fribourg
Fine reproduction of a Fribourg pattern pack, originally by Jean-Jacques Burdel.
Postgeschichte
A celebration of different postal systems in Germany from 1630 to 1850, with designs by Volker Hartm...
FDR New Deal Deck
Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards
Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.
Wren 300 playing cards
Papercuts by Chloe Campbell of the 52 Wren churches in the City of London.
Marlow playing cards
Visitor attractions and businesses to be found in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.