Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was incorporated by Royal Charter granted by Charles I with effect from 22 October 1628, and was granted Livery status on 27 November 1792 with a limit of a hundred members. On 21 July 1903 the limit was increased to 150. In order of precedence, the Makers of Playing Cards are No. 75, and the livery colours are red and white.

Originally the Company was created in order to regulate and control the importation of cheap playing cards, to protect the card makers and their families, and to maintain quality. The Crown received the benefit of the duties levied by the Company agreeing to pay a tax on all packs, and the ace of spades was chosen to show the tax. Every maker of playing cards had to have a mark of his own enrolled to indicate recognition of his name. The excise duty on playing cards was abolished on 4 April 1960, as the cost of administration had become excessive.

The true origin of the Company’s coat of arms is unknown, but an official Grant of Arms was presented on 31 March 1982. The shield shows the four suits with an upright hand holding an ace of hearts. The motto is ‘Corde Recto Elati Omnes’ meaning ‘with an upright heart all will be exalted’.

Playing cards

Since 1882 the Company has designed and presented an annual double pack of playing cards to each liveryman and freeman of the Company at the installation of the new Master. Since 1888, a portrait of the Master has appeared at the centre of the ace of spades, and the design chosen and developed by the Master has traditionally commemorated an event of importance occurring in the twelve months leading up to the Master’s year in office, such as the Company’s first Lord Mayor and Sheriff, or some royal or historical celebration. The Company maintains and expands its world famous collection of playing cards first presented by Past Master Henry Phillips in 1907 and housed by arrangement with the City of London at the London Metropolitan Archives. The Company is undertaking a project to make digitised images of the collection available for internet access.

The Charitable Trust

Formed in 1943, in the year of the Mastership of Lindsay Cutler, and administered by trustees, the funds accumulated by members’ donations and fundraising generate income used to help those under the age of 25 for educational purposes as well as financial aid to overcome hardship and distress. Benefactors include the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and various hospices.

The Company today

Since the formation of the Company in the Middle Ages when playing cards were the sole entertainment for the population[citation needed], the production and use of playing cards in London has declined. Today the Company still has cardmakers as members. However the Company has many other members connected with playing cards in some way including card collectors, dealers, bridge players, magicians and other professions.

The Company has several affiliations recognising the role that the Armed Services provide. Their affiliations include the submarine HMS Turbulent, naval destroyer HMS Diamond and 19 Company; Middlesex & NW London Army Cadet Force.

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Worshipful Company of Curriers — Spes Nostra Deus Location: c/o Tallow Chandlers Hall, Dowgate Hill, London Date of formation: 1272 …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Cooks — Vulnerati Non Victi Date of formation: 1482 Company association: Cooks and food …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Mercers — Honor Deo Latin for Honour to God. Location: Mercers Hall, London Date of formation: 1394 Company association …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Cordwainers — Corio et Arte The Cordwainers Coat of Arms Location: c/o Clothworkers Hall, Dunster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AH Date of formation: 1272 Company association: Leather industries …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Musicians — Arms of the Company, 1905 The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th… …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Drapers — Arms of the Drapers Company The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the… …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Cutlers — The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The trade of knife making and repairing was organised in the thirteenth century; the organisation received a Royal Charter later in 1416. The Company has lost …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Clockmakers — The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Clockmakers were formed by a Royal Charter in 1631. Originally, no person was allowed to sell clocks unless they were a member of the Company. However …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers — The Stationers Company Mark The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (better known as the Stationers Company) is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal… …   Wikipedia

  • Worshipful Company of Dyers — The Worshipful Company of Dyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Dyers Guild existed in the twelfth century; it received a Royal Charter in 1471. It originated as a trade association for members of the dyeing industry but …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”