CARDS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

CARDS AND PLAYERS.

KING CHARLES' CHARTER.

THREE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

ORIGIN OF THE FOUR SUITS.

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards celebrated in London on October 22, tho tercentenary of tho granting of its charter by King Charles I. Tho incorporation of the company in 1628 has given rise to tho belief that, playing cards were first introduced into England at that time This is erroneous. When King Charles granted the charter lie seems to have had in mind something of tho nature of the present-day safeguarding duty. Playing cards havo been used in certain parts of Asia, particularly in India, from timo immemorial. It is true that the cards of thoso days boro little rcsemblanco to what are used nowadays, although they supplied the mcan3 for a mild flutter in tho exchango of the day. Toward the close of the Middle Ages cards wero re-inventcd in Europe, and our modern English cards were undoubtedly evolved from the earlier samples produced in Franco and Spain.

In sonio early European packs the kings represented tho real kings of various countries, and tho queens wero portraits of real Court ladies. Tho French idea of the four suits was that spades stood for pikemen or soldiers, clubs for clover or husbandmen, diamonds for tiles or artisans, and hearts for choirmen or ecclesiastics.

During the reign of Charlos I. card games became extremely popular in England, and the demand for packs was largely supplied by the Continent. This fact seems to'have fired English producers, who, with their demand for protection, coupled the suggestion that foreigners gave to the initiated illicit hints of an opponent's holding.

Representations were accordingly made to James 1., who took no action, and it was left to Charles L to grant a charter of incorporation. In the preamble to the charter there is the declaration that all manufacturers and handicrafts should by all good and laudable means "be cherished and maintained for tho setting of our own people on work, and enabling them by their honest labours and industries to maintain themselves and their families."

Tho importation of playing cards was absolutely prohibited, and only freemen of the company wero given tho rights of production. Thcro was a feo to the Crown for every gross of cards made and sealed. Although tho company has since gone out of business insofar as its control is concerned, tho tribute to tho Crown is still represented in the Excise duty that is paid on every pack of cards. Tho company continues to foster the making of playing cards in Britain. A

practice of producing a pack of cards specially designed and printed, cominemorativo of some notablo event, is still followed, and on tho occasion of tho annual inauguration banquet of tho Master and Wardens packs are presented to tho members and their guests. Tho number printed on these occasions 13 strictly limited, and the die from which tho cards are struck is then destroyed.

In tho library of Guildhall there is on exhibition the finest collection in the world of cards, and various items allied to cards and card playing. This was a gift by Mr. 11, D. Phillips, a former Master of tho Company.