The purpose of the Society is to bring together collectors, researchers, manufacturers, museums and libraries, and all persons interested who wish to increase their knowledge of English playing cards and card games, their makers and designers.
Benefits of Membership
- We are a Society dedicated to the study and collection of “English Playing Cards”
- English Games are given equal footing alongside English Playing Cards.
- A yearly Meeting.
- The fellowship of members.
- A regular Members Newsletter/Magazine
- Access to all back issues.
We are an ideal publication for you to publish your articles and research.
The Society Motif & Logo
The Society Motif (top left) is from “The History of Playing Cards” by Rev. E.S. Taylor (1865).
On page 238 there is a picture of the dog and the devil entitled ‘Deuce and Tray’.
An Ace of Spades symbol has been added to complete a representation of the first three cards in a standard pack: ace, deuce and three.
The Ace and Deuce need no explanation. The dog ‘Tray’ is phonetically similar to ‘tres’ or ‘three’.
On page 238 there is a picture of the dog and the devil entitled ‘Deuce and Tray’.
An Ace of Spades symbol has been added to complete a representation of the first three cards in a standard pack: ace, deuce and three.
The Ace and Deuce need no explanation. The dog ‘Tray’ is phonetically similar to ‘tres’ or ‘three’.
Three of Clubs: “Old Dog Tray”.
There is a story about it that Lord Dunblane played cards with the Prince of Orange on his voyage to England in 1688. At the end of the game the Prince handed the cards to Lord Dunblane with his signature on the Three of Clubs.