The third and fourth quarter of the 17th Century saw many issues of educational/amusement playing cards focusing on Geography.

This issue is similar to that of John Seller’s the playing cards being longer than the standard pack – 94mm x 55mm

Henry Brome was located at ye Gun in St Paul’s Churchyard.

[ Include BM Title page ]

The cards were advertised as being 

“used for recreation in all our English Games, so they are useful to all ingenious persons for obtaining a system of universal Geography; which, by this contrivance, is rendered pleasant and familiar to all capacities”. Brome prices the cards at 1 shilling if plain, 2 shillings 6 pence if gilt and embellished and 2 shillings if bound in a book.”

This is the rare First Edition – the ‘key card’ the Jack of Clubs has just 2 feathers in his hat – later edition, no necessarily by Poole, show the hat as a crown of feathers.

The major part of the cards is given over to the geographical account of various countries.

The Aces relate to the four continents – 
Europe – Hearts
Africa – Spades
Asia and Asiatic Islands- Diamonds
Ameicas and the Artic Islands – Clubs

The cards are engraved as are the suits signs with the red suits being hand coloured.

The indices are in Roman Numerals for the pip cards and the Court cards have no indices but the value are reflected by a central cartouche with a rulers image – Kings are differentiated by the addition of a crown.
King of Hearts being Charles II

This deck is unusual in that the court medallions are coloured.

Cards are in good condition, no bends or tears. The have the usual, non-distracting, finger marks. Plain Backs.