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a site for enthusiasts of Dondorf playing cards and collectors of playing card history and ephemera
a site for enthusiasts of Dondorf playing cards and collectors of playing card history and ephemera
This site is dedicated to the playing card enthusiast and is named after Bernard J. Dondorf, who was born in 1809. He established a lithographic printing business in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1833, which notably printed Dondorf playing cards among other items. B Dondorf is considered one of the finest printers of his era, producing remarkable playing cards throughout the company's century-long history. Ironically, the exquisite quality and costly production methods ultimately led to the demise of the company in 1933.
While Dondorf playing cards were the catalyst that inspired me to become a serious collector and remain my main passion, I have since developed various new interests related to playing card history that I am excited to share with you on this website.
This site aims to showcase the very best in collectible playing cards and card games while providing insightful information on the subject. There is also a blog featuring items of interest, including details of any cards recently sold at auction. Subscribe to receive regular updates sent directly to your email.
Launched in June 2018, there's much to explore here. So, take your time and look around; I hope you enjoy the site and take a moment to drop me a line.
What's new...
Dondorf playing cards - an extensive record of advertising cards being added to this site.
New page on Dondorf advertising cards now available.
William Barribal - updated page featuring a presentation on his artwork used on postcards and playing cards.
New page added: "The Forger."
James English Playing cards - check out the new page for English card makers.
Art Deco Playing cards by Barbara Macdonald.
Issued to celebrate the Royal Marriage.
Royal Masonic Playing cards.
Charles Hodges Astronomical Playing cards.
Shakespearean playing cards - see the new page in the menu.
All inquiries are welcome for both buying and selling.
What's in the news - Blog at the foot of this page - sign up for regular updates.
Mark Irwin
Dondorf Playing Card - Shakespeare No. 192
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, wh
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
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Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, wh
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
This site is dedicated to the playing card enthusiast and is named after Bernard J. Dondorf, who was born in 1809. He established a lithographic printing business in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1833, which notably printed Dondorf playing cards among other items. B Dondorf is considered one of the finest printers of his era, producing remarkable playing cards throughout the company's century-long history. Ironically, the exquisite quality and costly production methods ultimately led to the demise of the company in 1933.
While Dondorf playing cards were the catalyst that inspired me to become a serious collector and remain my main passion, I have since developed various new interests related to playing card history that I am excited to share with you on this website.
This site aims to showcase the very best in collectible playing cards and card games while providing insightful information on the subject. There is also a blog featuring items of interest, including details of any cards recently sold at auction. Subscribe to receive regular updates sent directly to your email.
Launched in June 2018, there's much to explore here. So, take your time and look around; I hope you enjoy the site and take a moment to drop me a line.
What's new...
Dondorf playing cards - an extensive record of advertising cards being added to this site.
New page on Dondorf advertising cards now available.
William Barribal - updated page featuring a presentation on his artwork used on postcards and playing cards.
New page added: "The Forger."
James English Playing cards - check out the new page for English card makers.
Art Deco Playing cards by Barbara Macdonald.
Issued to celebrate the Royal Marriage.
Royal Masonic Playing cards.
Charles Hodges Astronomical Playing cards.
Shakespearean playing cards - see the new page in the menu.
All inquiries are welcome for both buying and selling.
What's in the news - Blog at the foot of this page - sign up for regular updates.
Mark Irwin
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, wh
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
Very few examples of playing cards by this maker exist. They were originally established as a cardboard manufacturer in 1780 but are known to have registered an ace of spades in 1833.
I have a set of Dondorf playing cards from The Popish Plot that I greatly value, but I appreciate them even more now. After reading this fantastic new book, I have a better understanding of the dark tale they portray and the reason behind their creation in the context of playing card history.
The Daily Courant, Monday 1 January 1705, features an interesting focus on the evolution of playing card history, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship of Dondorf playing cards that have gained recognition over the years.
Advertisement for a new set of Dondorf playing cards featured in the Daily Courant - "This present Monday being New Year's Day, will be published a newly invented pack of cards, which showcases, through finely engraved pictures done from copper plates, the various transactions of Her Majesty's most Glorious Reign to this present. This unique depiction reflects playing card history, arranged chronologically based on when these events occurred. Price 1s 6d per pack."
A card from the 'Queen Anne Playing Cards', first issued in 1705, features a red 'Stock In Hand' stamp, indicating that these Dondorf playing cards had remained in stock and unsold by August 1711. This moment in playing card history highlights the longevity and significance of these designs.
Since 1711, the amount of duty payable on a pack of cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, has fluctuated over time. An Act of Parliament imposed this duty starting from 11 June 1711, with an initial charge of sixpence on every pack, whether produced in Great Britain or imported. This act also outlined guidelines for the collection of the duty, effective from 1 August 1711. The following year, a second Act authorized a reduced duty of one halfpenny for 'Stock in Hand'—which included packs of cards completed and uncut sheets finished before 12 June 1711 but unsold, given that such stock was declared and marked before 1 August 1712. This marks an important chapter in playing card history. Ref: Taxation on Playing cards in England from 1711 - 1960 by John Berry.
The Daily Courant, Monday 1 January 1705, features an interesting focus on the evolution of playing card history, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship of Dondorf playing cards that have gained recognition over the years.
Advertisement for a new set of Dondorf playing cards featured in the Daily Courant - "This present Monday being New Year's Day, will be published a newly invented pack of cards, which showcases, through finely engraved pictures done from copper plates, the various transactions of Her Majesty's most Glorious Reign to this present. This unique depiction reflects playing card history, arranged chronologically based on when these events occurred. Price 1s 6d per pack."
A card from the 'Queen Anne Playing Cards', first issued in 1705, features a red 'Stock In Hand' stamp, indicating that these Dondorf playing cards had remained in stock and unsold by August 1711. This moment in playing card history highlights the longevity and significance of these designs.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, wh
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, wh
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.
The Daily Courant, Monday 1 January 1705, features an interesting focus on the evolution of playing card history, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship of Dondorf playing cards that have gained recognition over the years.
Advertisement for a new set of Dondorf playing cards featured in the Daily Courant - "This present Monday being New Year's Day, will be published a newly invented pack of cards, which showcases, through finely engraved pictures done from copper plates, the various transactions of Her Majesty's most Glorious Reign to this present. This unique depiction reflects playing card history, arranged chronologically based on when these events occurred. Price 1s 6d per pack."
A card from the 'Queen Anne Playing Cards', first issued in 1705, features a red 'Stock In Hand' stamp, indicating that these Dondorf playing cards had remained in stock and unsold by August 1711. This moment in playing card history highlights the longevity and significance of these designs.
Since 1711, the amount of duty payable on a pack of cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, has fluctuated over time. An Act of Parliament imposed this duty starting from 11 June 1711, with an initial charge of sixpence on every pack, whether produced in Great Britain or imported. This act also outlined guidelines for the collection of the duty, effective from 1 August 1711. The following year, a second Act authorized a reduced duty of one halfpenny for 'Stock in Hand'—which included packs of cards completed and uncut sheets finished before 12 June 1711 but unsold, given that such stock was declared and marked before 1 August 1712. This marks an important chapter in playing card history. Ref: Taxation on Playing cards in England from 1711 - 1960 by John Berry.
Pre 1900 commemorative English playing cards, including Dondorf playing cards, highlight the rich history of playing cards used for Royal events.
Playing cards, such as Dondorf playing cards, issued to celebrate a Royal marriage are fairly common. On July 6th, 1893, H.R.H the Duke of York married H.S.H The Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke of York later became King George V following the death of his brother Edward VII in 1910. The set of playing cards above on the right, which include the monogram VM for Victoria Mary, is a notable example in playing card history.
The box above is a partner set to the more commonly found Dondorf playing cards featuring the VM monogram. This particular set showcases the FG monogram for Frederick George (Duke of York). Both sets of playing cards are the 'Patent Dexter Round Cornered Moguls' issued by De La Rue, 110 Bunhill Row London, highlighting an interesting aspect of playing card history.
How rare are these Dondorf playing cards? I have never seen a set before in my exploration of playing card history. Let me know if you have come across them before.