Rowley & Co. Playing Cards

These cards are copper engraved. 1765 was the year in which the taxing authorities attempted to introduce a standard ace of spades to show that duty had been paid. These were printed by the revenue and released to individual makers on payment of the required duty; it is therefore remarkable that this ace differs so much from those of other makers. The unusualness of this pack extends to the pips and court cards. It is the first non-standard design on a standard pack of playing cards in the United Kingdom. The half-length courts sit within oval frames, representing kings and queens with court bodyguards as jacks. The suit signs are a red chalice with a heart inside, a black pike head, an orange topaz cut in a diamond shape, and a green clover leaf. The court cards correspond to England, France, Spain and Portugal. Rowley & Co. operated at no. 6 in the Old Bailey. The duty ace is George III no. 11. The complete 52-card pack has plain backs. It is worn, with occasional surface marks, but has been heavily played without tears or bends. This is a very scarce 18th-century pack, and the price reflects its overall condition.