The English Playing Card Society
The English Playing Card Society was founded in 1984 by Peter Way and Major R.T. Donald Welsh.
The purpose of the Society is to bring together collectors, researchers, manufacturers, museums and libraries, and all persons interested who wish to increase their knowledge of English playing cards and card games, their makers and designers. An informative, well illustrated and readable newsletter is published three times a year together with details of meetings, new publications, recent discoveries and regular updates.
Read The ConstitutionLatest Update from the Secretary
Worldwide Digital £10, UK £21, Europe £25, Worldwide £29
The EPCS PayPal account is: [email protected] and my address for cheques is still the same. For those without a PayPal Account I can send a PayPal Invoice that can easily be paid using any credit card; just let me know. Also, ask me for online account details for transfers if required. Join online using our interactive form.
The next EPCS Meeting venue and date has yet to be decided.
The Newsletter
The Society publishes a 30+ page A4 Magazine (including colour plates) which is free to members. This is dispatched three times a year and builds up into a reference source, with an index, containing information which is not readily available through any other source. Members are invited to contribute articles to the Newsletter. Click here to read a sample newsletter.
Information
Articles & Resources from the EPCS
Meetings
The Society usually holds two meetings each year, a golden opportunity for exchanging and buying cards, as well as a social occasion. A talk is usually given on an interesting topic relating to playing cards, and refreshments are available.
See photographs of the 25th Anniversary AGM held in Pratts Hotel, Bath, 2009. Click here to see photo of the meeting at Milton Keynes
photo 2.
The Society Motif & Logo
The E.P.C.S. Logo
The E.P.C.S. Logo is based on the 'Garter' Ace of Spades and incorporates the motif in the centre.
Chairman: |
John Sings |
||
Hon. Secretary: |
Barney Townshend
|
[email protected] | |
Hon. Treasurer: |
As above |
[email protected] | |
Newsletter Editor: |
Julian Shilton |
[email protected] | |
Committee Member: |
Ann Smith |
||
Committee Member: |
Don Woolnough |
||
Webmaster: |
Adam Wintle |
[email protected] |
Articles & Resources from the EPCS
Articles & Resources from the EPCS
Social Media
We now have Facebook and Twitter pages. We invite you to visit our Social Media pages.
Follow our social media for updates, and perhaps Like or share our pages too. We would like to spread knowledge of The English Playing Card Society as widely as we can.
The 25th Anniversary Deck Metastasis
The EPCS has published a book of the 25th Anniversary Deck "Metastasis". Click on the image of the book (below), and browse through the book to see every page and every card. Each card is near A5 size, one to each page. You will also find details of purchase options. A few decks/packs of these limited cards are still available. Contact [email protected] if you are interested.
Articles
Pepys Games
The Story of Pepys Games by Rex Pitts
EPCS Transformation
The English Playing Card Society's 10th Anniversary Transformation Playing Cards designed and produc...
Karl Gerich
Karl Gerich's interest in playing-card production came to the fore while studying at Bath Academy of...
Collecting English Playing Cards & Games
The History of English Playing Cards dates probably from the mid 15th century, the first documentary...
Karl Gerich No. 25: “Great Mogul”
'Great Mogul' branded playing cards designed and produced by Karl Gerich.
Fortune-Telling Cards
Comic Fortune-Telling Cards published by Reynolds & Sons, c.1850.
Comic Question & Answer cards
Comic Question & Answer cards by Josh. Reynolds & Sons, circa 1850.
Karl Gerich No.22: “Rouennais”
Karl Gerich’s hand-made design No.22: “Rouennais”, Victoria P.C.C, Bath (UK), 1990.
Thomas Walters Transformation
Hand-drawn transformation pack dated 1874 with the name Thomas Walters on the ace of spades.
Hand-Painted Transformation, c.1800-20
An early 19th century set of hand-painted transformation playing cards depicting contemporary scenes from Georgian society
Transformation c.1880
Transformation playing cards hand-drawn on a pack manufactured by Hunt’s Playing Card Manufacturing Co Ltd c.1880
Karl Gerich no.23: “Beautiful Bath”
Beautiful Bath is a hand-made pack by Karl Gerich which was published in 1996.
Imperial Royal Pack
Imperial Royal Playing Cards published by S. & J. Fuller, London, 1828. The court cards show portraits of historical figures of England, Spain, Turkey and France.
International Playing Cards
Designed by Reuben Townroe (1835-1911), the artist who designed the ornamented terra cotta work on the exterior of the Royal Albert Hall in London.