Current Location: In storage
Titles
Jack of Clubs (Sir John Falstaff)
Baker and Co's Eclectic Cards
Maker(s)
Printmaker:
Unknown
Publisher:
Baker & Co
Entities
Categories
Description
A hand-coloured etching and engraving on pasteboard of a large, bearded man wearing Tudor or Stuart costume, including a black hat with white plumes and holding a sword and shield. A white tent is seen in the background landscape. A large acorn at upper right represents the suit of Clubs. The figure represents Sir John Falstaff, 'The facetious knight and companion of Henry V, knight of England', as described in the Baker & Co. pamphlet that was published with the cards, see below. The card is untitled. From a pack of 52 playing cards which employs fanciful suits based on French and German models themed according to the countries of the United Kingdom: England (Acorns), Scotland (Diamonds), Wales (Spades) and Ireland (Hearts). The British Museum has a set of these cards (1848,1209.296-349) which includes an uncoloured title-card printed with the publisher's details as follows: 'Baker & Co's Eclectic Cards. For England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. Sold Wholesale and Retail at their Manufactory, No. 2 King Arthur or New Card Court, York Street, Black Friar's Road, London. N.B. To be had of all Respectable Stationers in the United Kingdom'. This pack is also accompanied by a twelve-page printed pamphlet which gives, 'A short account of Baker and Co.'s Complete, Grand, Historical, Eclectic Cards, for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, being a selection or an Eclectic Company of Twelve of the most eminent personages that ever distinguished themselves in those respective countries for Heroic Deeds, Wisdom, &c.', and which was printed by Theodore Page, Black Friar's Road in 1813.
Legal notes
Given by E. Evelyn Barron, 1940-02-06
