Rare Hunt and Sons 1830s British Playing Cards, Heavy Stock, Spades

Regular price $35.00

Gorgeous! I wish I had a complete deck of these Hunt & Sons c. 1830 British playing cards, but it's not surprising that over the past nearly 200 years some have been lost, so I've divided them into suits. These spades include the identifying Ace, called the "Old Fizzle" ace, showing a duty of one shilling.

I've been trying to learn a little more about varieties of antique playing cards and what distinguishes specific decks. This stencil painted deck (producing the great bleeding edges around the suits) is one of the earliest decks on which the court cards display a "modern rationalised design" - i.e., which look like playing cards as we know them. Also note the "one way" pips.  And otherwise,  just everything great in antique playing cards, with their square corners, super saturated black, and pretty backs too. Plus, these were made on quite heavy weight card--quite thick, with no folds or tears anywhere. Really fantastic. 

3 11/16" x 2 1/2". Some ingrained dirt and age toning as pictured but really great condition.