print;
playing-card
- Museum number
- 1896,0501.942.1-54.+
- Description
-
Complete pack of 52 playing cards, with an additional two cards headed 'The Use of the Cards', designed for divination; every alternate numeral card has an astrological sphere, and the others are filled with fortune-telling answers; the court cards are full length figures, the same for the kings and queens, with different figures for the knaves representing Cupid, Mohammed, Wat Tyler and John Hewson; with the exception of the knaves on which are identified the figure illustrated, each card is inscribed at the top with a name of an astrologer, sibyl, magician, etc.; suit-mark and value in upper corners; plain backs. c. 1670
Engraving
- Production date
- 1745-1756
- Dimensions
-
Height: 91 millimetres
-
Width: 57 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Advertisements for this popular fortune-telling pack appeared from 1690 to 1754. This particular pack can be dated to between 1745 and 1756 by the tax stamp on the ace of spades.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2017-2018 20 Oct-28 Feb, London, The British Library, Harry Potter: A History of Magic
- Acquisition date
- 1896
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1896,0501.942.1-54.+