Winstanley Geographical cards

Published originally in c. 1676 by Henry Winstanley (1644-1703), the painter and engineer who developed an interest in engraving, this is a miniature seventeenth century pocket atlas presented as a pack of playing cards, with notes on the state of geographical exploration of the period. As well as displaying the usual suits, the cards depict various foreign nationalities in their customary dress and views of the capital cities of each. See more►

The pack presents views of four continents: Europe (hearts); Africa (spades); Asia (diamonds) and America (clubs), with each card detailing major cities (including Jerusalem, London, Boston, San Salvador, Quebec, Tangier, Moscow, Madrid, Mecca, Rome, Paris and Stockholm), together with geographical and historical information.

The facsimile was produced in a limited edition of 275 packs by Harold & Virginia Wayland from the unique copy held by the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards, together with the unique leaflet telling the origin of the material and the use of the cards. A book by Virginia Wayland entitled The Winstanley geographical cards was published simultaneously in 1967.

Above: facsimile edition of Winstanley’s Geographical cards produced by Harold & Virginia Wayland, USA, 1967.

Further References

WCMPC website: Winstanley Geographical cards►

Willshire, W. H.: A Descriptive Catalogue of Playing and Other Cards in the British Museum (English 179), Trustees of the British Museum, 1876, reprint 1975.

Eleven original cards can be viewed at the British Museum website: Museum number 2004,1130.55.1-11 • another incomplete pack can be viewed here►