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Rare Geographical playing cards known as "Hodges Geographical”.
A complete set of 52 playing cards, engraved, each with original hand-colour outline, a.e.g., together with the duty ace, 53 cards in total, housed in the original publisher's paper covered box. 97 x 64mm (3 13/16 x 2 1/2 inches). Charles Hodges, Portman Street, London, [1828-1830].
Stock No. 1530.
A fine set of Hodges Geographical cards. The suits correspond to the four continents, maps of each appear on the aces: Europe - Hearts; Asia - Diamonds; Africa - Clubs; America - Spades. The numerals cards depict maps of ten of the constituent countries.
The picture cards depict: His Majesty George IV - England; Catherine II - Russia; Robespierre - France (K, Q, J of hearts); Washington - America; Neala - Canada; Telasco - Mexico (K, Q, J of spades); Kein Long - China; Statira - Persia; Hyder Ali - Mysore (K, Q, J diamonds); Saladin - Egypt; Zulema - Algiers; Moroah - Morocco (K, Q, J clubs).
The suit signs are printed and hand coloured in red, blue, orange and green, the ace of spades is not marked with a suit sign (as usual), the court cards are marked top left or top right with no indication of rank except for a crown painted free-hand at the top-left of the King of spades.
Duty was paid on the use of the court cards since the seventeenth century, with revenues to the crown. Duty was exacted on the wrapping of the pack and one card in the form of the insignia of the printing house, in the eighteenth century this card was specified to be the ace of spades.
In 1828 the "Old Frizzle" or duty ace of spades was introduced to show that a duty of one shilling had been paid. This additional duty card, published by Sopforth and Son, is historically important and marks a change in the history of printing cards, this pack being one of the earliest to include it. The pack was originally priced at £1-1s-0d, otherwise know as a Guinea.
Stock number
1530Open Monday - Saturdays 10am - 5pm and by appointment. Closed Bank Holidays
The BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
