Packs of Transformation Playing Cards
Titanic Transformation Playing Cards
by Elaine Lewis
A COMPLETE DECK 52/52
plus Joker plus Title Card
Issued in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage and shipwreck of the Titanic.
Scenes and personalities from the horrific event
Limited Edition of 50 – this is number 31/50
Cards are mint but slighly bowed, as are all these modern issues.
Without box.
REF:Titanic_003
S O L D
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The Great War 1914-1918 Transformation Deck
A COMPLETE DECK 52/52
plus Joker plus Title Card
The Great War 1914-1918 Transformation Deck
Produced in 2014, 100 years on, a full transformation deck produced by Elaine lewis of Bradford.
This is a limited edit on 50, this is number 20.
Scenes depict all sides of the conflict with action in the air and on land.
Elaine has captured the conflict in her normal original style.
Complete with Box, near MINT condition – card slightly bowed – usual for these modern EL cards
REF:GW_20_50
£250
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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.
“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!
Aphorisms about the kiss
[ A festive gift for the kissing and kissing world ]
Heart suit transformation playing cards in a 1856
book published in Stuttgart.
Originally published in 1808 the Aphorisms of a Kiss contains ten copper plates depicting scenes which incorporate the Heart Suit.
The original idea of melding the Heart suit into a scene of the period first appeared in 1801 in a German Almanac “Taschenbuch for 1801”.
The author of the book, Friedrich Ferdinand Hempel is in fact a pseudonym for Spiritus Asper. This book is in good condition with occasional non-distracting mark.
Some of the plates are amongst my favourite and the amorious kiss is really enthralling.
I have only seen one of the 1808 book and this is only one of the 1856 book I have known – it is an unchanged edition.
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Records only 4 copies.
REF:TheKiss
£550
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1817 / 1818 Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards
Plates bound in a book
udolf Ackermann published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc” and in 1817 and 1818 he included plates of original transformation playing cards the topic being in vogue since transformations playing cards were first appeared in 1801 in Germany,
Four cards, fully coloured, were included each months therefore the January 1818 was the thirteenth and last issue to complete a set of 52.*
In the first four issues of the magazine there was a narrative which attempted to weave the cards into the story, not always successfully, unfortunately this did not continue for the other nine issues.
[ The table below shows the Issue Date, Plate, Volume and Page where the sheets occur – the first four plates have a write up of the cards ]
This book contains all 13 plates, in full colour, with the refereed to narrative.
The Frontispiece for the Ackerman Volume is also included
One of the most popular Transformation subjects of the 19th Century the cards also being produced in Austria, America and France
Plates are in a very fine condition and have been professional bound to form this one volume – quite unique.
Volume Data from TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS by Albert Field
REF: Ackerman_Bounds
£900.00
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c1840 Transformed Aces and Faces
being an Ace of Hearts in many vogues.
Published c1840 this book is titled “ACES AND FACES OR THE ODD TRICK IN HEARTS.”
The OCLC WorldCat ( the central database listing the world’s libraries contents ) lists only one other copy known – their listing is as follows –
“London E Dangerfield ( 1900?-2000? ) – Caricatures and cartoons – Great Britain – English wit and humor – Pictorial. 28 leaves of hand coloured illustrations. The book being at the University of Victoria Libraries, Victoria, BC V8W 3AH Canada.”
They obviously have the date incorrect, one by the style of the book and it’s characters and costume and two, Dangerfield was publishing maps in 1831 from the same address – 22 Bedford St, Covent Garden.
The item on offer lacks three sheets of characters – i.e. Having 25 intact sheets – would love to know the subject matter of the missing three!
Each leaf has been scanned so you can enjoy the humour and wit of these transformed Aces of Hearts.
The subjects are most diverse; from Streets sellers to a priest, a mother with two babies in her arms to a French Marshall.
The book measures 22cm by 17.5cm and is relatively good condition, some pages have been remounted into the book without damaging the contents and there is the very occassional, non-distracting, brown mark.
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REF: TRO5464
£500.00
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1873 Belgian Transformation Playing Cards.
The maker of this pack is unknown but is beleived to have worked in Bruges.
This is a complete set of 32/32 playing cards and comprises cards transformed so as to produce humourious images as was becoming very popular in this quartile of the 19th Century. Just love the pips on the court cards, they are really humerious.
The cards are in good condition. The backs are tartan pattern and there is a small loss of the surface paper due to having been mounted in an album. [ The largest paper loss is shas been scannned. ]
The cards measure 93 x 64mm with square corners.
This is a scarce item.
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REF: TRO5491-089
£750.00
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Transformation Playing Cards - Pack known as WS 87
This pack was published in Germany in 1887 by an unknown publisher – initials W S on the eight and five of hearts.
The details of the Tax Stamp on the Ace of Hearts – replicated below from the excellent site of Peter Endebrock – puts it no later than 1888.
This is complete at 41 cards – 40 pip cards in the usual French suits and one Joker? or Extra Card
[ I must admit I prefer it when the Court cards are not transformed as it hardly ever works ]
There are many imperfections in this rare pack of cards:
– Cards are played with throughout with the inevitable soiling
– Various cards are creased
– Some with stains
– Four of Hearts has small surface loss to the right border
Cards measure 107 x 64 mm
The source for details of Transformation Cards coming from Albert Field’s seminal work.
REF: WS-87
£800.00
http://www.endebrock.de/pers-home.html For details of tax stamps on playing cards and wrappers from all over the world
Transformation Playing Cards
Paperback – Illustrated,
Paperback – Illustrated,
Albert Field
Authur
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1889 KINNEY TOBACCO TRANSFORMATION INSERT CARDS 53/53
This was the second issue by Kinney Brothers following the success of their 1st issue of Tobacco Insert cards a year earlier.
In this instance they included an advertising Joker – a complete set being 53 cards
We have all probably collected cigarette or bubble cards in our youth and know the challenge of completing a full set before the days of the Internet.
For those who managed to collect all 53 cards there was an opportunity to send them away in return for a complete pack of playing cards with the same images.
This makes the insert cards quite rare as a complete set.
Each Insert cards has a full listing of the 53 cards on the reverse.
The cards are in very good condition – there are a few corner bumps.
The backs are clean – one has a slight fading and one has the rubber stamp of the owners name.
POSTAGE IS ADDED AT COST – we combine postage and only charge our costs.
Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00
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Limited Edition Prints of Semi-Transformation Playing Cards.
Joker
[ Print Size 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches ]
£150.00
The Nine of Hearts
[ Print Size 7 1/2 x 5 7/8 inches ]
£130.00
The Eight of Hearts
[ Print Size 7 3/4 x 5 3/8 inches ]
£130.00
The Eight of Diamonds
[ Print Size 7 3/5 x 5 3/4 inches ]
£130.00
The Six of Diamonds
[ Print Size 7 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches ]
£130.00
First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK – £4.45 / to Europe – £8.00 / to Other £10.95 Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00 We combine postage and only charge our costs.
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Cartes a Rire Transformation Playing Cards - reproduction
THIS IS A MODERN REPRODUCTION OF –
1819 CARTES A RIRE TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS – MADE IN 1997
Well executed tasteful reproduction – LIMITED EDITION OF 1000
This is a truly great reproduction of the Cartes a Rire Transformation Playing Cards issued in 1819 by the publisher Grand Ebes, Paris.
The original deck was produced with two versions of Courts. – One displaying theatres the other newspapers of the period – this is the Newspaper Deck.
For those who don’t know this deck some of the transformed cards are quite unique as 1819 was on the cusp of the birth of the subject of Transformation Playing Cards.
Some of my favourite designs are included -the four of Hearts is a real gem with the clever use of the potty !
This is the “Jed Des Journaux” Edition
Mint deck in Book style Box with protective inner covering and tie string.
TITLE CARD HAS MANUAL NOTATION OF THE NUMBERED PACK.
First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK – £4.45 / to Europe – £8.00 / to Other £10.95 Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00 We combine postage and only charge our costs.
REF: TROCAR_03
£25.00
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1996 REPRODUCTION OF - TOSCANA 1850 Transformation Playing Cards
TOSCANA 1850 Transformation Playing Cards
A wonderful Limited Edition Reproduction of this – Classic Transformation Pack.
The originals were created in 1850 and were named for The Tuscan region of Italy from which they originate.
The designer of these cards was a well known – Caricaturist, Adolfo Matarelli (1832-1877)
The designs are cleverly woven into contemporary scenes and the Clown as the Ace of Spades, the three Magic performing clowns as the Five of Spades
Is such typical of the street scenes of the day.
This is full 52 card deck – plus TWO Jokers –
The cards in an exquisite hand made box. – All in mint condition
REF: TRO1288_0023
£30.00
First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK – £4.45 / to Europe – £8.00 / to Other £10.95 Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00 We combine postage and only charge our costs.
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Proof Sheet from Karl Gerich's
EPCS Transformation Playing Cards NR1
The “English Playing-card Society 10th Anniversary Transformation was published in 1993 – there were various proof sheets produced to establish quality.
This sheet measures 41.5cm x 30cm – and the inner frame is 30cm x 22.5cm
This is proof sheet of 9 cards including the title card.
The theme was fairy tells but you can see Margaret Thatcher found her way in there [ with her handbag ! ] – one wonders why?
Sheet is in fine condition and will be shipped flat
POSTAGE IS ADDED AT COST – we combine postage and only charge our costs.
Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00
REF: KG_NR_1
£125.00
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Proof Sheet from Karl Gerich's
EPCS Transformation Playing Cards -NR2
The “English Playing-card Society 10th Anniversary Transformation was published in 1993 – there were various proof sheets produced to establish quality.
This sheet measures 41.5cm x 30cm – and the inner frame is 30cm x 22.5cm
This is proof sheet of 9 cards including a title card and the Ace of Spades
The theme was fairy tells – a first perhaps
Sheet is in fine condition and will be shipped flat
POSTAGE IS ADDED AT COST – we combine postage and only charge our costs.
Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00
REF: KG_NR_2
£125.00
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Three sheets of Transformation Playing Cards
Nixon-Cowell-Jones c1820
Often referred to another Metastasis these cards were, in part, designed and etched by I L S Cowell, you can see the ‘Signature’ on some of the cards on these sheets.
32 cards are depicted – the twelve court cards and 20 transformed cards.
These sheets are fragile and flaky due to the thinness of the paper and age.
Transformation Playing Cards - Albert Field - 1987
Catalogue of the Schreiber Playing Cards in the British Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings - F M O’Donoghue 1901
Postage at cost
REF: nixon-cowell
£200.00
Two original uncut sheets from the Nixon Fores
Transformation Playing Cards of 1808
These sheets cover 26 of the possible 40 transformed playing cards
There are four sheets in the British Museum of which two are in the same format and content of these above.
The cards are printed on thick paper – uncoloured with the pips hand coloured for the red suits.
There is a crease/bend across the Ace of spades.
Transformation Playing Cards – Albert Field – 1987
Catalogue of the Schreiber Playing Cards in the British Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings – F M O’Donoghue 1901
Transformation Playing Cards - Albert Field - 1987
Catalogue of the Schreiber Playing Cards in the British Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings - F M O’Donoghue 1901
Postage at cost
REF: nixon-fores-sheet
£600.00
Metastasis - Transformation of Playing Cards - 1811 - REPRODUCTION
First published by S & J Fuller, Rathbone Place, London, September 1st 1811.
This Nixon-Fuller deck was the first English deck now commonly known as ‘transformation playing cards’ – the first use of the term “transformation”.
A new reproduction edition of this truly rare deck is now available – 52cards plus a title card plus an explanatory leaflet plus a reproduction of the original wrapper –
plus a unique box.
First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK – £4.45 / to Europe – £8.00 / to Other £10.95 Insurance is an additional £5.00 to any Country for the first £250.00 We combine postage and only charge our costs.
REF:TRO4272
£27.50
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