Sketchley (James, publisher). New Invented Conversation Cards, 1770, 17 (of 48 or 52?) copper engraved playing cards, each with a word to upper margin and associated illustration below, 'Church' with title, and others each with imprint to lower margin, dusty and toned, plain versos, 3 with juvenile pencillings on verso, 93 x 62mm (3.75 x 2.5ins) (Qty: 1) Provenance: Collection of Jack Webb (1923-2019), London. Extremely rare. The only other similar, but not identical, set which we have been able to trace is that held by the Osborne Collection (1513883), which comprises 52 cards. James Sketchley was producing playing cards from about 1750, and there is a known advertisement from 'The Virginia Gazette' dated 1775 for "Sketchley's New invented Conversation Cards, Ornamented with forty eight Copperplate Cuts; calculated to amuse and improve the Mind, to learn those that play with them to speak with propriety, and tell a Story well." Ours have the following headings: Church; Gentleman; Hall; Coach; Old Woman; Hope; Honour; Heart; Ruin; Deceit; Content; Cottage; Young Lady; Security; Purse; Justice; Courtship.
Sketchley (James, publisher). New Invented Conversation Cards, 1770, 17 (of 48 or 52?) copper engraved playing cards, each with a word to upper margin and associated illustration below, 'Church' with title, and others each with imprint to lower margin, dusty and toned, plain versos, 3 with juvenile pencillings on verso, 93 x 62mm (3.75 x 2.5ins) (Qty: 1) Provenance: Collection of Jack Webb (1923-2019), London. Extremely rare. The only other similar, but not identical, set which we have been able to trace is that held by the Osborne Collection (1513883), which comprises 52 cards. James Sketchley was producing playing cards from about 1750, and there is a known advertisement from 'The Virginia Gazette' dated 1775 for "Sketchley's New invented Conversation Cards, Ornamented with forty eight Copperplate Cuts; calculated to amuse and improve the Mind, to learn those that play with them to speak with propriety, and tell a Story well." Ours have the following headings: Church; Gentleman; Hall; Coach; Old Woman; Hope; Honour; Heart; Ruin; Deceit; Content; Cottage; Young Lady; Security; Purse; Justice; Courtship.
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