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SOLD Packs of Transformation Playing Cards
10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EPCS
TRANSFORMATION DECK NURSERY RHYMES.
DESIGNED AND HAND PRINTED BY KARL GERICH, IN BATH on 22nd of October 1994
Totally original designs for a transformation deck, hand crafted limited edition, this is number 31 /72, signed by the artist on the title and in gold ink on the inside base of the box and dated 30th June 1994 – he hand made the boxes and playing cards in different batches.
Tradition children’s nursery rhymes are illustrated with cleverly weaved transformations of the pip cards and hand coloured for effect though sets were sold in Black and White
I would struggle to come up with 52 Nursery Rhymes never find to see how I could allocate each to a playing card.
We have handled a couple of these and I am still amazed at the ingenuity
The court cards feature a variety of characters, Mrs Thatcher bringing the pack ‘up to date!’
Plain Yellow Backs
CLICK ON SMALL PICTURE FOR A FULL PAGE OF PICTURES
REF: epcs10th-0041
c1990 NOAH's DECK - LJILJANA RYLANDS
TRANSFORMATION PACK.
c1990 A semi transformation deck picturing animals from Noah’s Ark. – Published by Alan Hutchison & Co Ltd, London
The four suits are represented by: insects (spades), terrestrial mammals (hearts), birds (clubs) and fish (diamonds)
52/52 Cards, no Jokers, cards are mint, box is complete but has had a bit of a jorney,
REF: NOAH -04
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S Heilmeier Limited Edition Transformation Playing cards
A complete deck 52/52 plus four jokers contained in a lift off box with transformation of the nine of hearts on the box top.
These are original designs by this popular modern designer,
This is from a limited edition of 110 and is numbered 80/110
Cards and box are new , cards are mint and box is 9/10 with a slight mark on the base.
REF: SH_80_003
SOLD
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1806 Cotta Transformation Playing Cards in Original Box
with original booklet + 2020 excellent replica
Made by J G Cotta – Tubingen in 1806. Size 98mm x 68mm – square cornered.
Cards are stipple engraved, hand coloured with plain backs.
This is the second almanac deck from Cotta and evidences imagination and originality in design.
The court cards feature classical images.
Clubs: Arcas, Esther, Pyrrhus
Clubs: Arcas, Esther, Pyrrhus
Spades: Burrhus, Andromache, Ahasuerus
Hearts: Mordecai, Iphigenia, Ulysses
Diamonds: Orestes, Agrippina, Agamemnon
Come with the 2020 Reproduction
The cards and original booklet are in excellent condition, the original box is complete but has a few signs of wear.
REF: Cotta 1806-0055
John Nixon - His Transformation Playing Card
Original Artwork of c1803
1803 A range of Transformation proofs from the
John Nixon Scrapbook
covering published packs from 1803 to 1820
This is a unique collection of 24 proof cards on 20 sheets
designed by John Nixon a caricaturist who worked closely with
Fores and other London publishers.
These cards represent first stage prints proofs
and hand colored final proofs
many with handwritten inscriptions.
They represent a look into the design and thoughts of the artist
and are the cornerstone for the history of the
English Transformation cards.
They are also a rare glimpse into the past.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL SUMARY AND CARDS
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE ORIGINAL SHEETS
REF: JCN
1808 The KISS - rare early heart suit transformation playing cards.
Issued in a book, Leipzig 1808, the ten heart transformation therein contain some of my favourite cards.
Very original and using the heart symbol to combine two faces in an artistic way.
The Ace of Hearts provides the title for the book and is a truly lovely card.
In the 1850s there was a reproduction of this book which is also quite scarce – neither are mentioned in Field’s standard work on the subject.
Book has some foxing which does not interfere with the plates.
The spine of the book has some outer covering missing [ see pictures ] but the book is tight and is not coming apart.
POSTAGE AT COST
REF: TRO 5217-0032
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1811 Nixon Fuller Metastasis Transformation Playing Cards
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.
It became a fireside hobby so besides published packs there are many hand drawn transformation cards [ hand drawn on a regular pack ] offering a uniqueness and revealing the scope of people’s imagination.
There were two packs produced in the first quarter of the 19th Century with the nomenclature of METASTASIS. The first by John Nixon and published by Fores in 1803 and this pack by S&J Fuller [ Temple of Fancy, Rathbone Place, London ] in 1811.
There is a wrapper*, in the Schreiber Collection, at the British Museum, which dates this pack precisely to September 1st 1811.
Offered here is a complete hand coloured set of 52 cards with an original wrapper [ Uncoloured as it should be ]/ title sheet measuring 17mm by 21mm
The cards are unmounted. and are in very good condition.
The hand colouring is identical to those in the British Museum,those
in the Makers of Playing Card collection
and those sold at Sotherby’s from the Ortiz-Patiño collection.
Many of the pip cards, but not all, are like those from the earlier pack of 1803.
Nixon’s initials appears on one card of each suit.
Three of Spades, Three of Diamonds, Two of Clubs and Two of Hearts.
The court cards are meant to depict notable characters of the time: some nobility, some prominent people.
A sample of the cards are presented here and the full set of 52 can be viewed here at FULL SET
*
Whist there are many references to wrappers I find this hard to reconcile. The published sheets were hand coloured and cut but not mounted to board.
I can find only two that are mounted and this I believe was applied later on.
This would make the pack very lightweight and thin and, although there was a custom to wrap cards, I don’t personally believe they were.
The sheet, especially the coloured one depicted in the British Museum, was, I believe, used to decorate an appropriate box.
Of the three boxes I know of their decoration conforms to a precise cutting of the wrapper/title sheets.
Certainly unmounted cards of this period, if wrapped, would not also have a box.
Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
3D, 4S, 7C and the 5H
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the September 1818 issue and depicts 3D, 4S, 7C and the 5H. A cutting from the magazine, explaining the four cards is attached to the back of the late.
Plate is in a very fine condition
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: TRORA_16_vi-001
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
4D, AS, 5C and 7H
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the October 1818 issue and depicts the 4D, AS, 5C and 7H
The Plate is in fine condition.
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: TRORA_21_v6
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
KD, QS, QC and JH
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the December 1818 issue and depicts the KD, QS, QC and JH. A cutting from the magazine, explaining the four cards, is attached to the back of the plate.
Plate is in fine condition with a slight nibble yop left and a small mark bottom right, neither of which impact upon the cards.
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: TRORA_33_6
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1819
QH, KS, KC and JD
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from January 1819 and is the most difficult plate to find and depicts the QH, KS, KC and JD.
A cutting from the magazine, explaining the four cards, is attached to the back of the plate.
Plate is in fine condition cut close at the bottom through the date
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: TRORA_3_vii
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
2D, 9S, AC and 4H
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the July 1818 issue and depicts 2D, 9S, AC and 4H. A cutting from the magazine, explaining the four cards, is attached to the back of the plate.
Plate is in fine condition, very slight stain top right hand corner not touching the playing cards.
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: TRORA_3_vi
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
6S, 9H, 9D and 2C
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the August 1818 issue and depicts the 6S, 9H, 9D and 2C.
Plate is in Good condition.
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: TRORA_9_vi
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Beatrice, or the Fracas Transformation Playing Cards 1818
KH, JS, JC and the QD
Rudolf Ackerman published a popular monthly periodical titled “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc.,’ in 1818 and 1819 he included plates of original transformation playing cards as this was a popular topic amongst the gentry.
Over the course of thirteen months, January 1818 to January 1819, he published four cards per month to bring the total to 52. Each plate bears the inscription “PICTORIAL CARDS” below the cards and then the Number Issue of R Ackermann’s Repository of Arts etc, and the published date.
At the right hand top corner of the plate is the plate no: and volume number.
The watermark of the paper is 1818 and the cards were also published in a portfolio with stiff front and back covers and no binding.
Similar packs of cards, differing slightly in design were published in Austria, France and America.
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.
This is from the November 1818 issue and depicts the KH, JS, JC and the QD.
Plate is fine condition.
REF: TRORA_27_6
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1870 Frommann and Bunte - Transformation Deck.
This is the first edition of a pack issued c1870 in Darmstadt, Germany.
The packs contains 10 original designs, 19 appeared earlier in a pack by Braun & Schneider c1852 and 23 from Grimard’s Jeanne l’Hachette pack in c1865
The eight of diamonds bears the letters M and F and the designs are printed in Brown Ink.
The cards are in very good condition exhibiting some signs of wear – all cards scanned so you can judge yourself, the box is present but scruffy – see photo.
It bears the title “Comic Karte” and the makers name in a scroll “Frommann & Bunte, Darmstadt.
PDF is worth browsing as there are some very innovative designs.
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:TRO3475 – 005
All cards in the pack will load as a .pdf of about 8.5mb
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Reproduction of Grimaud's JEANNE HACHETTE TRANSFORMATION CARDS c1850
This is a 1976 Danish reproduction of a centuries earlier deck by Grimaud, Paris.
Complete deck with 52/52 plus Title card from Danish producers
Glossy square cornered cards with plain backs in issued lift-off box.
Cards and box are near mint – not played with and pristine.
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Reproduction of 1805 Cotta Transformation Pack
Published in the late 60s/early 70s this pack reproduces the first full pack of German Transformation cards 1805 Cotta – different packs were issued in later years.
This is complete 52 + a Joker [ the original pack never had a joker ] – cards have a light pink back – originals would have had plain backs
Though the cards are faithful to the originals the inscription on the two part box reads “Replica in full color of the antique French original” – slightly out on the Country !
Cards and Box are in very good condition – near new. PLEASE NOTE THE BOX IS RED NOT BLUE AS IN PICTURE
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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Palliden Transformation Playing Cards - Double Deck
1983 double-deck of Palladin Transformation Playing Cards by Laura Sutherland.
Complete – Two Jokers and intro card and 52/52.
One deck sealed (mint) and one opened (near mint), box has light edge rubbing/handling on the base
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Epic Scenes from the Old Testament
designed and published by Elaine Lewis
Complete Set plus Joker and Title Card of this
Limited Edition of 50 [ this is No: 37 ] 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 Wood Block engravers.
Encased in her home made box – all in Mint condirion
REF: EL_OT _004
Reproduction of 1805 Cotta Transformation Pack
Published in the late 60s/early 70s this pack reproduces the first full pack of German Transformation cards 1805 Cotta – different packs were issued in later years.
This is complete 52 + a Joker [ the original pack never had a joker ] – cards have a light pink back – originals would have had plain backs
Though the cards are faithful to the originals the inscription on the two part box reads “Replica in full color of the antique French original” – slightly out on the Country !
Cards and Box are in very good condition – near new. PLEASE NOTE THE BOX IS RED NOT BLUE AS IN PICTURE
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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Elaine Lewis’s - hand drawn Alice Transformation Playing Cards
Published in 2000 - Number One of 50
For the millennium Elaine Lewis embarked upon the production of a unique transformation playing card set with original designs which focused upon a great story.
She ended up with ‘Alice’ – a combination of scenes from Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
Each card is hand drawn and hand coloured.
You will see those firm favourites amongst children and adults alike – Tweedledum and Tweedledee, The Cheshire Cat, The Mad Hatter, The Knave of Hearts, The White Rabbit and the King & Queen of Hearts.
Ace of Spades signed by Elaine and bearing the number 1 of 50
Limited edition of 50 – this is number one in that issue – usually maintained by Elaine herself.
The Aces are illustrated and the court cards are non-standard.
Complete 52 cards plus 2 Jokers and Title Card
Hand crafted Box
All in new mint condition.
REF: alice__055
1988 Circus Transformation Playing Cards
Published by F Robert Schick (Posthumous) 1988. ‘Circus Transformation Playing Cards’ complete 54 cards superbly Gilt Edged Card with two jokers.
Limited to 1000 numbered decks. Extended explanatory booklet .
High quality larger than standard cards with gilt edges – mint as issued.
There is no box
A true ‘Transformation’ pack based on the Circus theme.
Published by his wife after his death.
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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10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EPCS TRANSFORMATION DECK NURSERY RHYMES.
DESIGNED AND HAND PRINTED BY KARL GERICH, IN BATH on 3rd December 1994
Totally original designs for a transformation deck, hand crafted limited edition, number 53 /72, signed by the artist on the title and in gold ink on the inside base of the box.
Tradition children’s nursery rhymes are illustrated with cleverly weaved transformations of the pip cards.
The court cards feature a variety of characters, Mrs Thatcher bringing the pack ‘up to date!’
CLICK ON SMALL PICTURE FOR A FULL PAGE OF PICTURES
As issued in a wonderful decorated box which matches the back of the cards.
{ Pictured in Full Page of Pictures ]
POSTAGE AT COST
Facebook
REF:KG_NURSERY 0531
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10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EPCS
TRANSFORMATION DECK NURSERY RHYMES.
DESIGNED AND HAND PRINTED BY KARL GERICH, IN BATH in 1994
Totally original designs for a transformation deck, hand crafted limited edition.
He hand made the boxes and playing cards in different batches.
Tradition children’s nursery rhymes are illustrated with cleverly weaved transformations of the pip cards and hand coloured for effect though sets were sold in Black and White
I would struggle to come up with 52 Nursery Rhymes never find to see how I could allocate each to a playing card.
We have handled a couple of these and I am still amazed at the ingenuity
The court cards feature a variety of characters, Mrs Thatcher bringing the pack ‘up to date!’
Colourful de Lux backs
REF: KGFT_R
The research on Karl and his individual packs, part of which is quoted below, has been compiled by
Reproduction of 1807 Cotta Transformation Playing cards
A fine reproduction of the 1807 issue by Cotta of Transformation Playing cards.
An explanatory booklet is included.
Cards are in Mint Condition – box in very good condition with slight handling marks.
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: TRO_1807_COTTA-001
2002 GOBLINS - Peter Woods' limited edition semi - transformational deck
This Limited edition of 75 packs in Black and White shows how adept Peter is creating original designs for
semi-transformation playing cards.
This is complete and mint 52 cards + 2 Jokers and is boxed.
Signed by Peter Woods .
REF: CIT4315-100
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.
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER IMPRESSION
10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EPCS
TRANSFORMATION DECK NURSERY RHYMES.
DESIGNED AND HAND PRINTED BY KARL GERICH, IN BATH on 22nd of October 1994
Totally original designs for a transformation deck, hand crafted limited edition, this is number 31 /72, signed by the artist on the title and in gold ink on the inside base of the box and dated 30th June 1994 – he hand made the boxes and playing cards in different batches.
Tradition children’s nursery rhymes are illustrated with cleverly weaved transformations of the pip cards and hand coloured for effect though sets were sold in Black and White
I would struggle to come up with 52 Nursery Rhymes never find to see how I could allocate each to a playing card.
We have handled a couple of these and I am still amazed at the ingenuity
The court cards feature a variety of characters, Mrs Thatcher bringing the pack ‘up to date!’
Plain Yellow Backs
CLICK ON SMALL PICTURE FOR A FULL PAGE OF PICTURES
REF: epcs10th-0041