NEW ITEMS
Over 200 Year Old Map Cards
PUBLISHED BY C.HODGES,
PORTMAN STREET, PORTMAN SQUARE
Each card is described in full and the pictures are clickable to produce a high quality image that can be examined using the spyglass.
Cards are engraved and hand coloured
Complete boxed set of Mathews on the Game of Whist
24 Counters - Silver Mounted - by Edward Thomason
Unique group of 24
Georgian Gaming Counters
c1825
This is a unique group of 24 Georgian Gaming Counters the Obverses showing the Coronets of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barrons over their respective Heraldic Shields.
The Reverses showing their family name and motto.
Each is decorated, in Black & White, by hand and uniformity measure 39mm diameter and are in extra fine condition.
ERSKINE - David Montagu Erskine 2nd Baron Erskine (12 August 1776 - 19 March 1855) was a British diplomat and politician.
Thomas Graham,
1st Baron Lynedoch
GCB GCMG
(19 October 1748 - 18 December 1843)
Extended Dashavtara Ganjifa Indian Playing Cards
References
Ganjifa - the traditional playing cards of India by Jeff Hopewell
IPCS Papers No: 6 September 2010. ISSN 0305-2133
Indische Spielkarten - Deutsche Spielkarten-Museum - Rudolf von Leyden
Leinfelden-Echterdingen 1977
DASHAVATARA Ganjifa
Indian Playing Cards
Large Diameter 88mm
Complete Pack 52/52
The 12 hand coloured costumes cards depict men and woman in fashionable wear for the period against landscape backgrounds.
Elegant Fashion Playing Cards by Migeon, Paris - c1840
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Jeu de cartes grotesques
au portrait de fantaisie à deux têtes dit "des binettes
PLAY ME
FOR ALL DETAILS
Dondorf 4 corners
Playing Cards Complete
Variant 3 c1892
52 cards complete – Chromolithography – excellent background and foreground images.
Complete Deck 52/52 plus three Jokers plus Title Card – each card has been originally designed to fit the pips.
This is pack 107 out of the limited issue of 110
As new.
Limited Edition Transformation Playing Cards by S Heilmeier
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REF: S316-081
SOLD
Complete deck of the first club deck. Opened but not played with: so box and cards in mint condition.
2005 52 Plus Joker Club Deck
REF: 52+J-2005-001
KG13 Milanesi Playing Cards
This pack draws its design from the Milan Pattern.
Each Ace has a maritime or mythological theme.
It is a complete 32 card pack with red backs in its original box.
UPLOADED 4th January 2026
FIVE new Karl Gerich Playing Card Decks added to the website 6th December 2025
CLICK on any picture to go to the full description
KG36 - Karl Gerich
Così Fan Tutte
Hand Made Playing Cards
Pack No: 29
“Victoria Playing Cards”
Georgina Harvey & KG
“Cartes Turques Patience” Playing Cards Pack Number KG18
Trappola Francaise 1990 Karl Gerich - KG 15 - Limited Edition
KG 10 - Karl Gerich
“Four Corners” 1991 Playing Cards
UPLOADED 17th November 2025
1811 Nixon Fuller Metastasis Transformation Playing Cards
A COMPLETE DECK 52/52
The vogue of transforming the pips of playing cards into an intriguing scene
originated in Germany is 1801
This was a method of converting the regular, repetitive, standard playing
cards into something more interesting.
The transforming of cards caught on very quickly and proliferated
throughout the century and beyond.
Even today new innovations are being
conjured up and there is a growing trend for quality reproductions of earlier
decks – an excellent idea enabling all pockets to enjoy the artistry and
innovation.
UPLOADED 27th October 2025
“Kaloprosopion Beautiful Disguise” 1828 Transformation Playing Cards
The challenge for a designer of transformation playing cards is originality and by 1828, only 23 years after the first full deck of transformation cards, it was a challenge that the English maker E Olivatte of 6 Leigh Str’, Burton Crescent, London could not rise to and so produced a ‘pirate deck’ of 52 card, 51 being designs copied from the earlier German decks.
The 51 cards came from the Cotta Almanacs of 1805 [11 cards], 1806 [25cards] and 1807 [15] plus one original design – the nine of hearts
Such was the excellent choices for inclusion that the pirate deck is now worth more than the originals from which it came!
In 1931 this reproduction deck was produced to mark the centenary of the that event.
This deck was presented by the Master (Worshipful Company Makers of Playing Cards) at a
Court Dinner in Oct 1931
The earliest Makers of Playing Cards used stencils in their manufacture to a very large extent.
In the year 1831, Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England were granted to Thomas De La Rue for a method of making Playing Cards by
Letterpress machinery.
This pack is a replica of one of the first packs produced by the new method.
The courts are classified by Ken Lodge as D2
In December 1831 Thomas de la Rue was granted a patent for printing playing cards by letterpress - this is the 1931 reproduction
UPLOADED 13th October
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REF: DLR31
SOLD
In 1900 the previously offered “German Playing Card” (BD 1868/1) was replaced by a new game, which, like its predecessor, is single-headed, i.e. the figures are shown in full. On the number cards there are small scenes of rural life.
In the kings and court cards one can recognise similarities with the Saxon single-figure pattern.
This is an early edition c1900 as the tax stamp shows the old eagle and the ‘DREISSIG PF! value from Frankfurt/Main (tax office ‘No. 15).
This is a complete deck of 36 cards with blue back in original box.
The cards measure 62mm by 104mm
The cards are in very good condition with Gilt Corners 8.5/10 and Box 7.5/10 – complete just a few very slight imperfections
BD 1900/3 – Single-headed German Playing Card
(No. 303)
1900–1930
Reference: Braun BD1900/3
Taxation: Peter Endebrock's Playing-card Pages http://www.endebrock.de/pers-home.html
UPLOADED 7th October 2025
Ref: Braun BD1858/2
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REF: GER310
£150
C1906-1914 B. Dondorf Four Continents Playing Cards [ No: 207 Luxus Spielkarten ]
Designed by Friedrich Karl Hausmann This Complete deck 52+Joker is the 4th Variant and last in the
Production of these wonderfully designed playing cards
They measure 94mm by 64mm and have gilded edges.
The playing cards are very fine condition 8/10 the box is missing the top flap and is rated 6/10
The clubs illustrate America by the time of its discovery, diamonds represent Germany in the
early 16th century, hearts depict India and the spade suit the Ottoman Empire.
The backgrounds of the pips display corresponding scenes.
Ref: Braun BD1858/2
Ref: Braun BD1858/2
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REF: GER308-005
SOLD
POSTAGE AT COST - INSURANCE AVAILABLE ALSO AT COST
UPLOADED 7th October 2025
This pack was printed in 1860. It was reproduced sometime in the 1870s with softer backgrounds and four adjusted designs for the King of Clubs, Queen of Hearts, Queen of Spades and the Five of Clubs – the original designed were generally regarded as slightly obscene – see the dogs raised leg on the King of Clubs.
The deck is in very good condition 8.5/10
The backs are printed with a representation of a man and girl at a casement, their faces forming aces of hearts and diamonds – in Gold and Purple
There is no box
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REF: GER315-008
SOLD
Cartes Comiques complete deck of Dondorf’s 1860 Playing Cards
UPLOADED 5th October 2025
Complete deck 36/36
Makers name on Two of Hearts “B Dondorf / Frankfurt a M”
German Tax Stamp with the old eagle and the ‘DREISSIG PF.’ value from Frankfurt/Main (tax office ‘No. 15’).
The single-figure card images show rulers, soldiers and hunters on the court cards; on the pip cards, animals (Bells = lion, Hearts = eagle, Leaves = elk’s head, Acorns = wild boar’s head). On the side cards 6–10 there are small scenes, mostly dealing with rural life and hunting.
Backs are of Geometric ornamental pattern, blue on pale blue.
Chromolithography – Card Size: 60mm x 96mm
Cards in very good condition 8.5/10, full gilding on the corners.
Box fully intact and in good condition with a very few minor scuff marks
Lit.: Braun/Dondorf BD 1868/1 var. 1
Dondorf Pack Number 301 c1880 / 1885 Hunting Deck
UPLOADED 5th October 2025
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POSTAGE AT COST - INSURANCE AVAILABLE ALSO AT COST
REF: GER306
£350
Complete pack of these George III Playing Cards by the maker Hunt & Sons Successors to Gibson
These cards bear duty of ’six pence three times’ – making Total duty on the pack of playing cards to two shillings and six pence – todays value – £15
This is Ace number 139 [ Recut 2 ] which dates them to c1808
These are single figure courts and they are ‘unturned’ – cards are without indices.
Cards are housed in a contemporary box
Cards are in near mint condition
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c1808 A complete boxed deck of 'Hunt and Sons Successors to Gibson’ Playing Cards.
UPLOADED 8th July 2025
REF: HSTG_1808_0807_009
Complete pack of these George III Playing Cards by the maker I HARDY.
These cards were made for exportation, to the colonies, USA, Europe and the Far East, and thus bear no duty.
They are Ace number 28 [ Recut 2 ] which dates them to 1821
These are single figure courts and they are ‘unturned’ – cards are without indices.
Cards are housed in a contemporary box
Cards are in near mint condition
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C 1821 I Hardy Exportation boxed set of Playing Cards c Ace No:28
UPLOADED 8th July 2025
REF: IH-28_0807_R
£550
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Complete Set plus Joker and Title Card of this
Limited Edition of 50 [ this is No: 18 ] from Elaine Lewis
Depicting transformed images from the Old Testament
Elaine’s ability to depict contiguous scenes across multiple cards is so reminisant of the 19th and 20th Century Japanese Wood Block engravers.
Encased in her home made box – all in Mint condition
As with many hand made decks the backing card used being to strong for the other layers – so a slight bowing
Epic Scenes from the Old Testament Transformation Playing Cards designed and published by Elaine Lewis
UPLOADED 8th July 2025
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REF: EL_ES_0807_004
The theme of the great detective is honoured in this 2018 pack by Elaine Lewis.
Not just an ordinary pack but one who’s pips have been transformed within the scenes displayed.
All the well known characters appear here as well as the most notable scenes from the stories that attracted so much attention when they were published on a weekly basis.
These are hand produced by Elaine in a limited edition 50 – this being number20 /50 – all housed in a hand made box.
Condition – complete as issued with title card and Joker
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Sherlock Holmes - Hand Drawn Transformation pack By Elaine Lewis
UPLOADED 8th July 2025
REF: EL_SH_0807
£300
This is a combination of two patterns –
the Lemberger and Saxon patterns.
The production of this pack began in 1978 when the plate was cut.
However it was not until 1982 that the first pack was actually made and the first series
completed by 1984.
It is a thirty two card pack was subsequently re-published in 1990 by Victoria P.C.C.4
The courts are single-ended standing, sitting or horse-mounted figures while the pip cards show
scenes from domestic life or mythological figures.
Hand Crafted Box
With stencilled patterned backs: the overall production was about forty packs.
SIGNED BY THE ARTIST
REF: KG9_2_058
Karl Gerich No: 9 - Deutche Karten
The material on Karl and his works have
been gleaned from the excellent research
material published by Mike and Daphne Tregear
UPLOADED 15th June 2025
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This souvenir deck of 52 cards plus Joker were issued in 1901 and capture scenes of life in China at the time.
They are perhaps quite famous as they portray Boxers [ members of the Boxer Rebellion of 1899 to 1901 ] awaiting execution and, sadly, pictures of the executed.
Tempered with the graphic images are scenes of everyday life which continued as a feudal system up to 1948.
Published by Grimes- Stassforth Stationery Co in Los Angeles they have the original box present as well as the descriptive booklet – often not present.
The cards are inaccurate played with or “liked at” condition
POSTAGE AT COST
REF: FC
£250
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1901 Forbidden City Playing Cards
UPLOADED 15th June 2025
This Limited Edition pack was inspired by Piatnik’s Trappola Pack of c1890 and is 1 of 20 made
The plates were prepared in 1987 but not issued ’till 1990
Etched and Hand Colored with delicate pastoral colours; the Aces are a joy to view.
It is noted by Mike and Daf that Karl found this delightful coloring extremely tedious!
This is a 36 card pack with Three Jokers – one is double ended whilst the other 2 depict a Jester playing with a young woman.
The Hearts suits also bear Cups and the Clubs Batons copying the Italian style for Trappola cards
The Aces are really quite wonderful
The cards measure 51mm x 81mm
Housed in a Titled Box – the cards are as issued.
SIGED AND DATED 1ST OCTOBER 1990
The research on Karl and his individual packs, part of which is quoted below, has been compiled by
Trappola Francaise 1990 Karl Gerich - KG 15 - Limited Edition
UPLOADED 9th June '25
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REF: KG15-R
£475.00
1801 Complete set of playing cards by I Hardy
C1813 Complete set of Playing Cards by Hunt & Sons No: 2 Ace
CLICK ON A PICTURE TO GO TO THAT ITEM
1798 Complete set of Playing Cards by Hall
FURTHER EXAMPLE OF ENGLISH STANDARD PLAYING CARDS UP TO 1828, WHEN THE TAX WAS DECREASED IN AN EFFORT TO COUNTER LOCAL SALES [ AND REVENUE ] BECAUSE OF FOREIGN IMPORTS AND FORGERIES
CLCIK BUTTON BELOW
ALL ENGLISH STARD PRIOR TO 1828
C1818 Complete set of Playing Cards by Hall & Son
C1813 Complete set of Playing Cards by Hunt & Sons No:11 Ace
Globe Card Co., 78 Hawley St., Boston, MA. Globe Playing Cards.
Design: I.N. Richardson (1874). 52 + J, complete.
76 mm diameter, 5 index marks on the pips. Backs: Orange pattern on light-blue background.
Maker’s name on Ace of Spades. Circa 1880.
Cary coll. 121
Circular cards with quintuple pattern and no revoke colors:
The joker is named Joker, or EXTRA CARD“, it advertises the deck.
These are the first round cards in the USA.
Box has a few scuffs as can be seen.
Cards are in very good condition – no damage.
REF: GC_1880
£200
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