These fascinating facsimile playing cards were first published in 1714. In addition to the usual suit and number markings, they bear figures and diagrams which can be used for fortune telling. 

In 1660 Charles II became king of England, but it was not until 1679 that a pictorial pack of playing cards was published which satirised the personalities and events of Commonwealth rule. The illustrations on this facsimile deck of cards offer a rare visual impression of the times. 

Published in 1707, these are pictorially the most elaborately engraved set of playing cards ever issued, and demonstrate fully the adulation at that time accorded to the first Duke of Marlborough during his overseas battle campaigns. 

Financial scandals and faulty projects were epitomised by the bursting of the South Sea Bubble, as commemorated in this deck of cards first published around 1720. The cards offer not only a marvellous record of fashions of dress of the period but also commentary upon those who were tempted and fell as a result of the apparent gold rush.

For the whole of the 19th century a minor but most attractive fashion in gaming flourished - that of the "transformation card". Unquestionably one of the most ingenious and challenging packs ever devised was this deck designed and etched by I. L. S. Cowell and first published in about 1811 or 1812. 

These facsimile playing cards were the published in 1688, and present the coats of arms of the English peers. The higher the rank, the higher the card value: archbishops and dukes are clearly superior to earls and barons, the arms of the latter being depicted on the lowest cards in all suits.