GEORGIAN PLAYING CARDS.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Deck of playing cards. A complete deck of Georgian playing cards, remarkably well-preserved.The design matches a pack attributed to Hall & Son, circa 1815, in Roger Tilley's Playing Cards (1973), pp. 70-71. It also matches a pack in the British Museum, dated circa 1800-1825 (museum number 1876,1014.1617-1668).The ace of spades bears the royal arms and name of George III, and its die number 7 is noted. Notably, it lacks a duty stamp, despite it being mandated by law from 1765 onwards. Packs intended for export were exempt from duty but normally bore an exportation notice. Its absence may indicate that this was a proof or trial pack, or one produced in evasion of duty.

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