Vintage c. 1950 Gainsborough by Fairchild dual set of playing cards in gold tone case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1950
This collectible dual set of playing cards, produced by the E.E. Fairchild Corporation of Rochester, New York, dates to approximately 1950. The set is presented in a rectangular gold-tone metal case, which measures 4.75 inches by 3.75 inches by 1.25 inches.
The interior of the case lid is embossed with the branding "Gainsborough by Fairchild." Both decks of cards remain in their original sealed condition with foil-embossed stickers intact. The card backs feature artistic depictions of an 18th-century man and an 18th-century woman in period attire. Two additional spare cards—a 5 of diamonds and a 10 of spades—are stored behind the inside cover of the box. The bottom of the case features a sticker referencing Canasta.
This set represents a typical mid-20th-century decorative gaming accessory designed for social play, reflecting the era's focus on high-quality, attractively packaged parlor games. The objects remain preserved in their original factory configuration.
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
- Material
- gold tone metal case
- Dimensions
- 4.75" x 3.75" x 1.25"
Technical characteristics
- Set type
- dual deck
Design
- Motif
- 18th century figures
- Branding
- Gainsborough by Fairchild
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
- E.E. Fairchild Corporation
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.