English Proverbial Playing Cards, John Lenthall, c. 1715-1745
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
between 1715 & 1745
This collection consists of a partial deck of English playing cards known as 'Proverbial Cards', published by John Lenthall. The set comprises 50 cards out of an original 52, featuring French-suited iconography.
Each card is produced via copperplate engraving, displaying a large illustrative scene accompanied by a proverb inscribed in the margin below. The design includes Roman numerals in the upper left corner and hand-stencilled suit signs in the upper right. The ace of spades bears a red ink 'crown' VI pence duty stamp, consistent with usage between 1715 and 1745. The deck includes two cards modified by a previous owner—a 9 of hearts altered to represent a jack, and a 10 of spades modified into a 5 of spades—alongside two replacement cards from a separate deck.
These educational and satirical cards depict varied scenes, from amorous encounters and travel to domestic life, and are printed on cards measuring approximately 92 x 65 mm with plain white versos.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Quantity
- 50
- Dimensions
- 92 x 65 mm
Technical characteristics
- Markings
- Red ink crown VI pence duty stamp
- Suit type
- French
- Printing method
- Copper engraving
Design
- Verso
- Plain white
- Obverse
- Large illustration with proverb, Roman numerals, and hand-stencilled suit signs
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- John Lenthall
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.