Rare Antique De La Rue Tax Wrapped ‘Dexter Harrys’ Double Head Playing Cards c1898.

Cardmakers traditionally sold their playing cards inside outer wrappers made of paper. These would usually be discarded once opened and were not expected to be kept. However, very few survive, often in a fragile condition, so are highly sought after. These paper wrappers are a useful additional source of information, such as manufacturers’ addresses, trademarks or copyright notices, medals won at exhibitions, as well as in certain cases, taxation details or royal patronage. This wrapper, I believe was in use around 1878.

Some De La Rue playing cards featured the specific ‘Dexter Index’ system primarily from around 1878 to the mid-1880s, though usage continued in specific formats like patience packs into the 1890s. While the Dexter system was short-lived, it was one of the earliest, most successful corner-index designs introduced to prevent cheating.  The cards included suit-signs in the corners, with Ace marked as '1' or simply the suit shape, 2 through to 10 had the number placed inside the corner pip, and courts often marked with 'Kg' for the King, 'Qn' for the Queen and 'Kn' for Knave on the Jack.

Harrys is an English quality name found on tax wrappers and later on card boxes, used as a recognised grade designation rather than a single fixed design. The name appears to have begun as ‘Henry VIII’ before being shortened, and by the late 19th century it sat within the familiar hierarchy of named qualities alongside Moguls, Highlanders and Merry Andrews. Those brands that have been on offer for many years, have a varied array of Aces and court types, so it is important to specify the quality and style in the make-up of a pack as separate from the brand name.

Thomas de la Rue was born in Le Bourg, Guernsey called in 1793. At the age of ten he was apprenticed to Joseph Antoine Chevalier, a master printer in St Peter Port who produced the Gazette de l'Île de Guernsey, the first printed newspaper on the island. In 1818 he moved to London and set up as a straw hat maker, he diversified into bookbinding, embossing leather, and paper manufacture.

De la Rue began producing playing cards, he introduced letter-press printing, quick drying ink and other improvements in playing card production, he was granted a patent in 1831. Before this, cards had been printed using woodblocks and hand-coloured. He produced his first playing cards in 1832, the firm also printed railway tickets and visiting cards for which he used his enamelled playing-card paper. De La Rue became the principal printer of fiscal, inland revenue and postage stamps and banknotes for the UK and colonies, the best engravers and miniature designers worked for De La Rue. An article in Bradshaw's in April 1842 reported that ‘The whole of Messrs De la Rue's establishment is carried out in a manner perfectly unique. Steam power wherever practicable is applied to the various departments of the business.’ and in 1853 Charles Dickens extolled the firm's excellence in an article called ‘A Pack of Cards’ which included a history of playing cards and De la Rue's part in it. The became a limited company in 1898. De La Rue became recognised as the inventor of the modern English playing card.

In 1844 Thomas de la Rue employed the graphic designer Owen Jones who produced 173 a range of outstanding back designs for De la Rue, his designs were imitated by other manufacturers. De la Rue’s card games were of the highest quality and tended to be expensive. Thomas de la Rue became known as ‘the father of the English playing card’.

The pack of playing cards are offered in the unopened tax wrapper with the cord intact. The ends of the paper wrapper are in fragile condition with tears, one small piece has come adrift.

The pack measures approx. 9.4cm by 6.2cm by 1.6cm.

This is a very rare find, a rare opportunity for a serious collector.

Please see pictures for more details.

Thanks for looking and Happy Bidding!

Recycled packaging is used as much as possible.

I am always happy to combine postage, all I ask if you let me know if you are bidding on more than one item within a few days of each other. I will pack and weigh the items together and get the best possible price that I can, sometimes weight or value might dictate that I send multiple parcels to get a better value for you.