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At the end of the 19th century Chas. Goodall & Son, London, produced several packs that they called 'Historic Playing Cards'. Among them were a version of the 'Queen Victoria Jubilee' pack, another pack in my collection and the pack shown here:
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This pack was presumably produced c. 1900 to commemorate the turn of the century. The court cards show rulers of the 19th century from continental Europe, their wives, and politicians or military men:
Clubs (Germany): | Emperor Wilhelm I (1797 - 1888, reigned from 1871) Empress Augusta (1811 - 1890) Prince Bismarck, the chancellor (1815 - 1898) |
Spades (Russia): | Czar Alexander II (1818 - 1881, reigned from 1855) Empress Maria (1824 - 1880) Prince Gortchakoff, his chancellor (1798 - 1883) |
Hearts (Italy): | King Victor Emmanuel II (1820 - 1878, reigned from 1861) Queen Adelaide (1822 - 1855) Garibaldi, the freedom fighter (1807 - 1882) |
Diamonds (France): | Emperor Napoleon I (1769 - 1821, reigned 1804 - 1814) Empress Josephine (1763 - 1814) Prince Talleyrand, the minister for foreign affairs (1754 - 1838) |
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