Playing cards were introduced into Europe in the late 14thC and became
a gaming device of such seemingly endless adaptability that they permeated
every level of society from the lowest tavern to the Royal Courts of
Europe for many hundreds of years.
This book provides clear explanations for the rules of over 45 period card games from the late medieval period through to the Napoleonic era. 67 pages.
Price £6 + £1.25 postage
Period Card Games book with either deck of cards £ 10 + £2.50 postage
16th Century Playing Cards
This is a reproduction of a deck dated to 1567 that is based on a set of face cards by Pierre Marechal of Rouen, France. The cards of Rouen are significant because many were produced for export to Britain. English merchants are even said to have bought them for re-export to other countries. In 1628 England banned the importation of cards, and English printers have been shown to have used Rouen face cards as inspiration for their own cruder, more stylised decks which have become the standard motifs still used in many modern decks.
This a full 52-card deck without jokers (Jokers were not added until the 19th century.) The backs are blank as was most common on early cards.
Price £5 + £1.25 postage
18th Century Playing Cards
Inspired by an English deck, the backs are blank, as was common on most early decks, and printed in full colour. Although jokers were not used until the 1800's, these are included for games that require them, and are inspired by the face cards.
Price £5 + £1.25 postage
Noddy Board
Used in the same way as a cribbage board for the game Noddy, a late Tudor game played to 31 points. Noddy gives way to Cribbage in the mid 1600s. Made of oak with boxwood pegs
Price £15
