TRO3765

1801 Hudibras - the first transformation Playing Cards

In 1801, in a German Almanac, appeared the first ever transformation playing cards. The eight illustrations that appeared there were published by Friederich Gentz, Jean Paul Voss and Johann Heinrich Voss in Braunschweig in a German Edition of the Hudibras, The copper engravings were by Soltan. 

Each engraving is 60 by 89 mm and are printed on eight sheets, within the almanac, on pages measuring 70 by 117 mm.

The 'cards' comprise three drawings of the 2 of Hearts, three drawings of the 3 oF Hearts, one drawing of the 5 of Hearts and one drawing of the 8 of Hearts.

Presented in the original red leather Taschenbuch fur 1801.

Insured Postage is included in the price

£1,400.00

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1803 A range of Transformation proofs from the John Nixon Scrapbook covering published packs from 1803 to 1820

This is a unique collection of 24 proof cards on 20 sheets designed by John Nixon a caricaturist who worked closely with Fores and other London publishers. These cards represent first stage prints proofs and hand colored final proofs many with handwritten inscriptions. They represent a look into the design and thoughts of the artist and are the cornerstone for the history of the English Transformation cards. Please view the photos, which are fully notated, as they are very rare glimpse into the past.

Insured Postage is included in the price

£9,000.00

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1811 Cowell Transformation Playing Card - Sheets

Offered are the five original sheets depicting the 52 transformation cards accredited to Nixon-Cowell-Jones for the year 1811.
The cards were sold in sheets thus avoiding the tax on Playing Cards  as in sheet form they were not regarded as 'made up'. 
The cards would have been cut from the sheets and hand painted by artists either for the publishers, Jones, or the purchaser.
These sheets have been cornered mounted on backing paper and are in very good condition.

£2,500.00

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1818 Ackermann Transformation Playing Cards - Sheets.

Complete - We think this is one of the most interesting of transformation decks
The drawings are much more intricate than other similar packs and the plates are worthy of viewing even if you have no intention of bidding.
The downloads could take some time but we think you may think it is worthwhile.

The cards first appeared in a publication entitled the “Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion etc” published by Ackermann.
These cards are from Volumes V, VI and VII covering the whole of 1818 [ 12 issues – 48 cards ]
and January 1819 making up the remaining 4 cards.
The complete 13 sheets are in very good condition but we have listed each plate below with all the minor blemishes, which are inevitable with a publication of this age.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£550.00

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1828 The Olivatte Piracy Kalaprosopion - Transformation

This is a part pack of 46/52 
The deck is so named  as the designs were pirated from the earlier Cotta Issues, 
with the exception of the 9 of Hearts, the cards are selectively copied from 
Cotta years 1805, 1806 and 1807 
but the 9H [ present ] is unique to this deck. 
The Jack of Clubs [ present ] is also different being printed in reverse to the original. 

The cards were published under the name "Beautiful Disguise" - the Ace of Clubs bears the wording
"published as the Act directs by E Olivatte, 6 Leigh St, Burton Crescent - 1st January 1828". 
Whilst this deck was issued in 1828 [ and not in 1829 as stated in books on the subject ] 
this issue, in response to the demand for clarity on the court cards, 
bears Knave, Queen and King imprinted on the Hand Colored court cards.
The cards were line engraved which differs from the Cotta designs that were stipple printed.
This copy has hand pips painted cards as well as the Courts.
Backs Plain. It lacks the 3,4,5, and six of Spades and the 2 and five of Hearts.
It is a mystery as to why there was no duty exacted on this deck.
Overall in good + condition - no tears - no bends - no distracting marks on the face of the cards

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£450.00

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c1855 Hand Drawn Transformation Playing Cards.

A competant standard of penmanship and design is exhibited on these hand drawn cards in pen and ink.

The cards were produced c 1855 but the transformation could have taken place anytime later.
38/52 cards present and some cards show extranious markings but overall the cards are very good.
Patterened backs.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£550.00

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c1862 Nursery Rhyme Transformation Playing Cards - John Galloway

Four distinct issues are know to exist of this well crafted Transformation Deck each of the designs differing in various aspects the cards follow popular nursery rhymes which have survived to this day.

Even the Court cards are 'part of the action' and the clever design of the high pip cards reflects the imagination put into this design.
The Ace of Spades reflect the change in Duty in 1862 to 3 pence and the central area has again been used to follow the Nursery Rhyme theme.
Interesting to note the use of gold on the crowns of the Kings and Queens.
This deck was published by John Galloway from 15, Cooper Street, Manchester and is claused "Entered at Stationers Hall".

The deck is complete 52/52 and has a Pink Stared Back.
The deck is in Extra Fine condition

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£700.00

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1870 Frommann and Bunte - Transformation Deck.

This is the first edition of a pack issued c1870 in Darmstadt, Germany.
The packs contains 10 original designs, 19 appeared earlier in a pack by Braun & Schneider c1852 and 23 from Grimard's Jeanne l'Hachette pack in c1865

The eight of diamonds bears the letters M and F and the designs are printed in Brown Ink.
The cards are in very good condition showing no signs of wear, the box is distrssed missing the top flap and two side being nearly detached.
It bears a retailers label of "F Lavenna - Rue de Rhone 7 - Geneva" and the deck is entitled "Comic Karte" with a circus clown. It is interesting to note that Field states "

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£550.00

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1876 Thackeray Transformation Playing Cards - Sheets.

William Makepeace Thackeray was a novelist and caricaturist and designed an incomplete pack of - Transformation Playing Cards - which his daughter published after his death in 1876.

He is said to have become bored with the project and never returned to it after his attempt to pass the time on a transatlantic crossing by designing these cards!

These cards are scarce and they can only be obtained from the book. We have not cut the plates so you have a chance to purchase them intact
for framing if that is what you desire.

There are 5 plates containing 21 playing cards – this is complete
The Plates are in very good condition, occasional very minor foxing around the edges, and are accompanied with the supporting pages which tell the story.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£140.00

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1879 Tiffany Harlequin Transformation Playing Cards

Designed by C E Carryl for the New York jewelers, Tiffany and Company
The back of each card is inscribed “Copyright 188 by Chas E Carryl”
Complete deck 52 + one blank.
The cards are in extra fine condition, nicely Gilt Edged,
with the EXCEPTION of the Eight of Spades – [ see scan ] where there is Red Colour streaking

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£425.00

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1885 Leliman J H W - Dutch Transformation Playing Cards

This deck was made towards the end of the Nineteenth Century and is the only known Transformation Deck to be made by a Dutch maker probably reflecting the collect-ability of the subject which brought many 'one offs' to the market.

The Court Cards are silhouette, which I find attractive, and the transformed cards range from quite frightening to very ingenious.
The presumed artist 'P.T.' initials are found on each transformed card.
The deck is mint but has a overall look of slight smudging like a printers wiper blade being in-effective.
The reverse of the cards bear a circled monogram 'DAS'.
Two of the pips on the Five of diamonds contain Dutch proverbs - translated as -"Idleness rusts the mind" and "Work enobles".
Not all the cards are transformed
The pictures are worth viewing - Comes in a card case with a Bee in a circle within the motto "Ik werk immer"
Lettered below is 1898 H H W Leliman
[ Thanks to Albert Field - 'Transformation Playing cards' #59 ]

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£1,000.00

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c1890 Pen and Ink Hand Drawn Transformation Playing Cards

A high standard of originality of design and content is evident on these cards.
A decent attempt at enlivening the court cards though one may be a little politically incorrect these days.
I feel sorry for the Ace of Hearts, which I secretly love, for it has been turned into a Xmas pudding.
A enjoyable set of cards in good condition.
Cards manufactured by De La Rue with patterened backs
45/52 - all cards illustrated.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£550.00

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1895 Vanity Fair Transformation Playing Cards

Issued in 1895 by the United States Playing card Company.
This is a complete deck 52 + Joker.
The Joker appears as a Devil and the Court Cards have been altered to make the faces and posture comical.

The pip cards are transformed quite tastefully and are well worth viewing.
This is deck No: 41, plain edges with a Green patterned back.

The cards we would grade as VF++, no bends tears or other unmentionables.
There is a two part telescope box bearing the nine of clubs on the reverse.
The outer box lacks the top and the bottom but has plenty of sides!

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£150.00

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1895 Vanity Fair Transformation Playing Cards

Issued in 1895 by the United States Playing card Company.
This is a complete deck 52 + Joker.

The Joker appears as a Devil and the Court Cards have been altered to make the faces and posture comical.

The pip cards are transformed quite tastefully and are well worth viewing.

This is deck No 41.x - it has gilt edges - the sort of luxury deck.
The cards have a Red Patterned back.
The cards we would grade as VF++, no tears bends or any distracting imperfections.

There is a box bearing the Two of Spades on the reverse; it is scruffy and is missing a top and bears signs of repair at the bottom

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£175.00

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1895 HUSTLING JOE Transformation Playing Cards

52 Playing Cards + Joker + Box.
This was the first entry into the Transformation field by USPC.
Ace of Spades has an image of Hustling Joe in a red costume - card have been played with but are in very good condition - the Ace of Spades has a slight ly bent top right corner - see close-up pictures
Court cards have color backgrounds that run to the edge of the card. Kings are blue, Queens and Jacks are yellow, except for the Queen of Spades which is pink.

Card backs show an image of a pond with frogs enjoying various water sports

Housed in their Original brown box.
Front has gold printing and back has the Three of Clubs mounted with a label that reads,
Box is in a telescope format - the top of the box is missing.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£175.00

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1935 - Twenty Six original Dutch Transformation Playing Cards

In 1935 a children's book, published in The Netherlands, contained 26 original designs for Transformation Playing Cards.
The books English title would be "Something for Everything".
The cards were never published elsewhere and are not known to have been completed.
We find some of the designs quite ingenious and worth viewing even if you do not intend to purchase.
Sold as a complete book but can easily be extracted for framing or even mounting on card. Great condition throughout

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£55.00

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1988 Circus Transformation Playing Cards

Published by F Robert Schick (Posthumous) 1988. 'Circus Transformation Playing Cards' complete 54 cards superbly Gilt Edged Card with two jokers.
Limited to 1000 numbered decks. Extended explanatory booklet .
High quality larger than standard cards with gilt edges - mint as issued.
There is no box
A true 'Transformation' pack based on the Circus theme.
Published by his wife after his death.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£27.50

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1993 - The Key to the Kingdom – Transformation Playing Cards and book

Produced c 1993 - complete with a competition that ends 31st January 1994
The deck of cards is called The Enchanted Deck.
Each card illustrating a traditional verse or rhyme.
The accompanying book details each verse.
The inspiration is defined as Eastern Origins (and to William Blake)
The cards are mainly semi-transformation and are very beautiful.
The cards are book are all mint and in a presentation case

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£22.00

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1995 Wild Semi-Transformation Playing Cards

Wild Semi-Transformation Playing Cards
Animals feature on cards - This deck of playing cards (52/52+3J)
are semi-transformation - - ie the pips are parts of the picture but not in their original positions
Each card features a wild animal - which is named - as usual the cards are beautifully drawn by Peter Wood.

The jokers are also lovely.The cards are mint as is the box.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£8.00

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1996 REPRODUCTION OF -
TOSCANA 1850 Transformation Playing Cards

TOSCANA 1850 Transformation Playing Cards
A wonderful Limited Edition Reproduction of this - Classic Transformation Pack.
The originals were created in 1850 and were named for The Tuscan region of Italy from which they originate. 
The designer of these cards was a well known - Caricaturist, Adolfo Matarelli (1832-1877)  
The designs are cleverly woven into contemporary scenes and the Clown as the Ace of Spades, the three Magic performing clowns as the Five of Spades 
Is such typical of the street scenes of the day.
This is full 52 card deck - plus TWO Jokers -
The cards in an exquisite hand made box. - All in mint condition

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£15.00

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1996 REPRODUCTION OF -
1819 CARTES A RIRE TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS

Modern tasteful reproduction.
This is a truly great reproduction of the Cartes a Rire Transformation Playing Cards issued in 1819 by the publisher Grand Ebes, Paris.
The original deck was produced with two versions of Courts.
One displaying theatres the other newspapers of the period.
This is the later and is the “Jed Des Journaux”
Mint deck in hand made box

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£15.00

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2005 - Erotic transformation pack created by Eric Provoost.

Square Cornered large size [118mm*84mm] cards.
Produced in a numbered limited of 1500.

In most cases the images are semi-transformations and the nature of their subjects are nothing
less then very sexually explicit -
Please therefore only look at the additional photos if you will not be offended by this type of material.

Complete 52cards + 2 Jokers + 2 Extra cards - they come mint in a very neatly designed box.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£25.00

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2005 Under The Sea - Marine Transformation

Distributed by the UK for the Marine Stewardship Council

A group of 54 artists donated the art works used to create this transformation pack  with an 'under the water' nautical theme. 

Some of the distinguished arists include Damien Hirst, Dame Elizabeth Blackadder,  Anish Kapoor, Quentin Blake, Maggi Hambling and Paul Simonon. 

Sales of these cards  go to the registered charity Marine Stewardship Council (MSC),  which main function is promoting solutions to the problem of over-fishing. 

The backs of the cards display the MSC’s seafood eco-label.

Complete, Mint and suitably boxed.

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£8.00

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2008 PIPS in Pictures Transformation Playing Cards

A Warercolour Transformation Deck with refreshing new designs from this up and coming artist

This is a limited edition of 100 and is illustrated with watercolour paintings by the Guernsey Artist

Jennifer Gaudion

Each Deck is numbered and presented in an attractive box = MINT

First Class / Air Mail Postage: to UK - £2.00 / to Europe - £2.50 / to Other - £3.00 - insured is an additional £5.00

£32.00

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