{"product_id":"john-wallis-historical-cards-england-18th-century","title":"Antique John Wallis Historical Cards History of England Complete 32 Card Game 18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a remarkably early and complete set of \u003cb\u003eJohn Wallis's Historical Cards Exhibiting the History of England\u003c\/b\u003e, an educational card game published in London in the \u003cb\u003elate 18th century, circa 1780s–1790s\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set consists of \u003cb\u003e32 numbered cards\u003c\/b\u003e, beginning with \u003cb\u003eWilliam the Conqueror\u003c\/b\u003e and ending with \u003cb\u003eGeorge II\u003c\/b\u003e, and retains its original pasteboard slipcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned as both a game and a means of teaching English history, each card is devoted to an English monarch, with \u003cb\u003eOliver Cromwell\u003c\/b\u003e included in the chronological sequence. A circular portrait appears at the top, followed by a series of statements concerning the sovereign's succession, character, battles, generals, statesmen, learning and arts, and important events of the reign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statements incorporate game instructions such as \u003cb\u003e\"Take one out of Successor,\" \"Put two into Character\"\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e\"Take all out of Battles.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cards are printed in black on pasteboard with plain backs and are numbered consecutively:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. William the Conqueror through 32. George II\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll \u003cb\u003e32 cards are present\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original slipcase also survives. Although very heavily worn, portions of its printed paper label remain legible, including \u003cb\u003e\"WALLIS,\" \"HISTORICAL,\" \"London\"\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e\"Published...\"\u003c\/b\u003e. The publication date and some of the other information originally appearing on the label have been lost through wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparable examples are held in major museum collections. The Fitzwilliam Museum dates a closely related 32-card Wallis set to \u003cb\u003ecirca 1783–1801\u003c\/b\u003e, while another documented example has been dated \u003cb\u003ecirca 1778–1799\u003c\/b\u003e. Surviving sets show variations in their portrait cuts, colouring and printed details. This particular set does not have the segmented printer's imprint sometimes found along the lower edges of cards 25–28.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cards themselves have survived remarkably well considering their age. There is general age toning, occasional staining, handling marks, minor edge and corner wear, and other evidence of use. Please refer closely to the photographs, which show all 32 cards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eoriginal slipcase is in very poor condition\u003c\/b\u003e, with extensive wear, staining, losses, abrasions and deterioration to the printed label and covering paper. Nevertheless, its survival with the complete set is historically significant, and it is included exactly as found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e John Wallis\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e Historical Cards Exhibiting the History of England\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e London, England\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e Late 18th century, circa 1780s–1790s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNumber of cards:\u003c\/b\u003e 32 — complete\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst card:\u003c\/b\u003e William the Conqueror\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLast card:\u003c\/b\u003e George II\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBacks:\u003c\/b\u003e Plain\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase:\u003c\/b\u003e Original pasteboard slipcase with fragmentary printed label\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unusual survivor from the early history of educational games and children's publishing, particularly appealing as a \u003cb\u003ecomplete 32-card set retaining its original case\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poppy's Vintage Clothing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48069430411369,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1559\/files\/Wallis-Card-Game-1.jpg?v=1789600267","url":"https:\/\/www.poppysvintageclothing.com\/fr\/products\/john-wallis-historical-cards-england-18th-century","provider":"Poppy's Vintage Clothing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}