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Welcome to Dondorf
a site for the playing card collector
and ephemera enthusiast
Welcome to Dondorf
a site for the playing card collector
and ephemera enthusiast
Welcome !
Dondorf
This site is for the playing card enthusiast and has been named after Bernard J. Dondorf who was born in 1809 and established a lithographic printing business in Frankfurt Germany 1833 which, amongst other items, printed playing cards. B Dondorf was arguably one of the finest printers of his era printing some amazing playing cards during the company's 100 year history. Ironically it was the quality and expensive production process that ultimately contributed to the the demise of the company in 1933.
Whilst Dondorf playing cards acted as the catalyst and inspiration for me to become a serious collector and remain my main passion, I have developed many new playing card related interests over the years and will share them with you on this website.
This site aims to showcase the very best in collectable playing cards and card games and to share information on the subject. There is also a blog reporting items of interest and details of any cards recently sold at auction, subscribe to receive regular updates sent by email.
Launched in June 2018, there's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, I hope you enjoy the site and take a moment to drop me a line.
What's new ....
Copechat Paramount Sorting System Playing cards
Shakespearean playing cards
All enquiries 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
Goodings Superior BULOS Playing Cards
Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Copeland-Chatterson was founded by R J Copeland and A E Chatterson in Brampton, Ontario, Canada in 1893. As business grew, operations were started in Europe. In around 1902, a manufacturing plant was set up at Dudbridge Lower Mills, Stroud to take advantage of its good communications with London and the main provincial cities. R J Copeland appointed James George Mann as 'European General Manager', J G Mann having already worked for the company in Canada for several years. In 1913, J G Mann arranged the purchase of the European arm of the business, encouraged by his son James Albert and with the support of William Stanley Brown. W S Brown had also joined the company as a young man. He spent some time in Stroud and then took on responsibility for sales in the company's offices in Canon Street, London. From there he built up a sales team with eight branches to give Copeland-Chatterson nationwide coverage.
The first products were accounting stationery, loose-leaf binders and sheets. These were designed to simplify accounting procedures and overcome the disadvantages of bound ledgers. After World War I, the company shifted its focus to keep pace with the development of mechanised accounts. Custom-made guide cards, metal trays and trolleys were developed at Stroud to accommodate a system of mechanised ledger cards and statements.
In the late 1920s, James Albert Mann gained a licence to manufacture and market an 'edge punched card needle sorting system'. It was given the brand name 'Paramount' and was one of the company's most important products. These playing cards issued as an advertising product may have been intended for use by people with sight impairments.?
shakespearean playing cards
Shakespearean Playing Cards
Example of box from the 1970s
Example of box from the 1970s
These playing cards where the court cards depict characters from various Shakespeare plays are a common feature on market places such as Ebay and decks sell from £5 upwards. They have been sold in great numbers since the 1970's when Waddingtons reprinted a version that was previously sold in the 1920's. The older sets are less common and quite sought after by collectors.
Example of box from the 1970s
Example of box from the 1970s
Example of box from the 1970s
The more recent sets of cards have quite vivid colours and the cards have a glossy sheen to them which obviously makes them easier to shuffle when played with. The ace of spades has the Waddingtons Playing Card Co Ltd Leeds name
Waddingtons First Edition
Example of box from the 1970s
Waddingtons First Edition
The first set of the Shakespeare cards by Waddingtons appeared c.1925 and the ace of spades has "Schemed and designed by F C Tilney made by John Waddington Limited London. The colours on the court cards are more muted and the cards themselves have a matt finish and the card stock seems of cheaper quality.
Shakespearean Playing cards cont...
Court cards from the 1920s
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
The court designs have remained the same across all the various issues over the years. It is only the quality of card used which has changed. The court designs were by Frederick Charles Tilney an English Artist (1870 - 1951)
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
This is the earliest set of Shakespeare Playing cards printed which has the same designs as those reproduced by Waddingtons in the 1970s. This set is rarer still and can be distinguished quite easily by the name on the Ace of Spades which reads "Pubd by Swan Sonnenschein & Co Ltd London. The designs by F C Tilney Printed by Bemrose & Sons Ltd Rd No. 367882. These date from c.1902
Swan Sonnenschein & Co Ltd
The forerunner to the John Waddington set
Swan Sonnenschein & Co Ltd
William Swan Sonnenschien (1855 - 1931) was a British publisher, editor and bibliographer. His publishing firm Swan Sonnenschien was founded in 1878 and restyled to W. Swan Sonnenschein & Co in 1882. In 1895 the firm became a limited liability company. In 1911 the firm was amalgamated with George Allen & Co.
The Munich Lion Brew Company
Rarest of them all
German Brew Company
German Brew Company
This is most likely the rarest of all the sets of Shakespearean playing cards which was pinted by Bemrose & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Munich Lion Brew Company. The back design re-worked by F C Tilney to incorporate the Munich Lion Brew branding. Set acquired from the Dudley Ollis collection.
German Brew Company
German Brew Company
German Brew Company
The Munich Lion Brew company was based at 62 Holborn Viaduct, London from 1897 until 1914. After the start of the First World War it ceased to trade there.
Original box
German Brew Company
Original box
The box type and printing is almost exactly the same as that issued by Swan Sonnenschein but has no reference to this company on it. Printers remain Bemrose and Sons Ltd and the cards are dated to c. 1905 - 1910
More exciting discoveries
Michael Schmidt Neurmeberg
Michael Schmidt Neurmeberg
Michael Schmidt Neurmeberg
A set of 'Lotery' cards printed by Michael Schmidt (engraver & sculpteur) Neuremberg c. 1810 - 1820
Jl & J Turnbull
Michael Schmidt Neurmeberg
Michael Schmidt Neurmeberg
A little known English playing card maker Jl & JTurnbull c. 1833
Jl & J Turnbull
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.
New publication - HOAX
The Popish Plot
I have a set of The Popish Plot cards which I greatly value but appreciate them so much more now. After reading this fantastic new book I have a better understanding of the dark tale they portray, and the reason why they were produced.
AN Early Card Stamp
The Daily Courant, Monday 1 January 1705
Advertisement for a new set of playing cards advertised in the Daily Courant - "This present Monday being New Years Day, will be published a New Invented Pack of Cards, in which are described in pictures, done from Copper Plates, finely engraved, the various transactions of Her Majesty's most Glorious Reign to this present. Historically disposed according to the order of time in which they happened. Price 1s 6d per pack."
Knave of Clubs from The Queen Anne Cards 1705
Knave of Clubs from The Queen Anne Cards 1705
Knave of Clubs from The Queen Anne Cards 1705
A card from the 'Queen Anne Playing Cards' first issued in 1705 but with a red 'Stock In Hand' stamp indicating that the cards had been in stock and unsold by August 1711.
Stock In Hand Stamp
Knave of Clubs from The Queen Anne Cards 1705
Knave of Clubs from The Queen Anne Cards 1705
The amount of duty payable on a pack of cards since 1711 has fluctuated over time. When by an Act of Parliament duty was imposed as from 11 June 1711 the initial charge on every pack whether made in Great Britain or imported, was sixpence. This act also set out guidelines as to how the duty was to be exacted, and the starting date for these arrangements was stated to be 1 August 1711. A second Act, the following year, authorised a reduced duty of one halfpenny for 'Stock in Hand' (i.e. packs of cards completed, and uncut sheets finished ready to cut, before 12 June 1711 but as yet unsold, provided such stock was declared and marked before 1 August 1712. Ref: Taxation on Playing cards in England from 1711 - 1960 by John Berry.
The Kings Evil
What is the King's evil
The custom of healing by royal touch has a long history and was practised by monarchs of many European countries. The first recorded British monarch who's touch was claimed to show curative powers was King Edward the Confessor (1042-1066). He introduced a ritual for the 'King's Evil' a name for a condition of swollen and discharging tuberculous lymph glands of the neck, also called scrofula. After touching the diseased patient the King ordered that they be maintained at royal expense until they were cured. During the 13th Century the upkeep of patients' was replaced by the donation of a coin possibly a penny or small silver coin. During the reign of King Henry VII (1485 - 1509) the coin donated by the king in the healing ceremonies changed to a gold coin known as 'Gold Angel' The Angel's name is derived from its design depicting the archangel Michael defeating a dragon, a scene from the biblical book of Revelation. This image of purity of gold gives the coin a special resonance. After receiving the royal touch, the patient would be given an Angel, which had been pierced and threaded on a ribbon, hung round the neck by the monarch as a further means of warning off disease. The practice of 'touching' was seen as an example of divine right of kings, a manifestation of the authority believed to have been granted by God.
Which monarchs carried it out and who thought it a 'Silly Superstition'
This cure was seen as painless, instant and miraculous and thus became very popular. The practice was continued by each monarch up until the execution of King Charles I in 1649. After the demise of Charles I, the start of the Civil war and then the resulting creation of a Rump Parliament under Cromwell the practice stopped. After the Restoration of the monarch in 1660, Charles II quickly re-established curative touching and the practice continued after 1668 , during the reign of James II, until his death when it again lapsed. It was not undertaken during the reign of William and Mary who thought it a 'silly superstition'.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne reintroduced the practice during her reign (1702 -1714) and special gold touch pieces were also issued for use in her ceremonies. The death of Queen Anne in 1714 marked the end of this ceremony in England.
wanted single cards or incomplete sets
Single cards
Please get in touch (see bottom of page for contact details) if you have any pictorial or Illustrated cards that you may wish to sell. Will be happy to purchase single cards
Complete or Incomplete sets
Playing cards with 'Duty Aces' wanted. Will consider part sets if in good condition.
A marriage described as 'Affectionate'
English Royalty - Marriage of Edward to Princess Alexandra of Denmark
This deck was produced in celebration of the wedding of Edward (VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863. CB Reynolds is an unknown printer and whilst we have an address , 22 Seel Street, Liverpool. very little is known about this firm. Very little is documented about these cards so much more research is required.
The deck 52 cards is extremely ornate and must have been fairly costly to produce. The Ace of hearts has a picture of the newly married couple. The courts are non standard and have a mix of South American natives (clubs) alongside European style courts (Diamonds, Hearts) whilst the Spade courts reflect ordinary folk as farmers etc.
All the pip cards have small caricatures within each of the pips, very similar to cards designed by Alfred Crowquill (see below) printed at a similar time by Reynolds. Is there a connection here?
So what about the marriage... Edward married Princess Alexandra, elder daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark on 10 March 1863 at St Georges Chapel Windsor. Alexandra was both elegant and beautiful and their relationship has been described as "affectionate". Despite this, Edward indulged in many affairs with actresses and society beauties throughout his marriage. However, Alexandra showed amazing tolerance of his behaviour, remarking that "he always loved me the best".
Victoria's playing cards
Victoria's playing cards
Victoria's playing cards
Playing cards published throughout the reign of Queen Victoria
It's a wrap!
Victoria's playing cards
Victoria's playing cards
Wrappers more than just paper and string
Dondorf featured decks
Victoria's playing cards
Dondorf featured decks
The beauty of Dondorf playing cards for all to see
Discover more...
Art Nouveaux
Interesting Games
Interesting Games
Delightful artwork in playing cards from the turn of the 20th Century
Wanted Old or Unusual playing Cards
Old English
Old English
Old English
Standard old English playing cards with Duty Aces
Illustrated
Old English
Old English
Early Illustrated playing cards individual cards or complete sets purchased
Dondorf
Old English
Dondorf
Playing cards by Dondorf.
Games
Royalty
Dondorf
Old or unusual English card games
Royalty
Royalty
Royalty
Pre 1900 commemorative English Playing cards for Royal events
a selection of informative books and catalogues
a selection of catalogues detailing Dondorf playing cards, English Royalty cards issued during Queen Victoria's reign and early English playing cards, when available in printed form will be advertised on EBAY or send request to this website.
Playing cards issued during the reign of Queen Victoria with a royalty theme
Is your collecting theme Royalty?
Collecting Early English Playing Cards
or early English playing cards?