Vintage Waddingtons “Blue Boy & Red Boy” Twin Pack Playing Cards – Boxed c.1970s

Vintage Waddingtons “Blue Boy & Red Boy” Twin Pack Playing Cards – Boxed c.1970s

A wonderfully nostalgic boxed set of vintage Waddingtons Fine Playing Cards, dating approximately to the 1970s and containing two complete packs decorated with two famous British portraits – The Blue Boy and The Red Boy.

Presented in their original blue flocked Waddingtons box with gilt interior, the lid bears the Royal Warrant:

“By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen – Manufacturers of Playing Cards – Waddingtons Playing Card Co Ltd.”

Each pack is complete with 52 standard playing cards plus two Jokers, making 54 cards per deck. Also included is the original Waddingtons Contract Bridge International Scoring reference card.

The backs of the two decks reproduce two celebrated works of British portraiture.

The Blue Boy is after Thomas Gainsborough’s famous portrait painted around 1770, one of the most instantly recognisable images in British art.

The Red Boy depicts Charles William Lambton as painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1825. The original painting is held by the National Gallery and achieved another little piece of history in 1967 when it became the first painting to appear on a British postage stamp.

The playing cards themselves feature traditional Waddingtons court cards and colourful jester Jokers, giving the set plenty of period charm.

Waddingtons was one of Britain’s best-known manufacturers of playing cards and games throughout the 20th century, and these attractive twin presentation sets would once have been a familiar fixture of bridge tables and games evenings.

Condition

Both decks have been individually counted and are complete with all 52 playing cards and two Jokers in each pack.

The cards remain in good vintage condition with some light age-related toning and signs of previous use.

The original blue flocked presentation box shows expected wear from age and storage, including rubbing, surface marks and some accumulated lint to the flocked finish. There is also wear to the gilt inner tray. Please study the photographs carefully as these form an important part of the condition description.

A charming survivor from the golden age of the British card table – equally appealing to collectors of vintage playing cards, Waddingtons memorabilia, bridge accessories or simply as a decorative piece for a games room or coffee table.

Maker: Waddingtons Playing Card Co Ltd

Country of origin: England

Date: Circa 1970s

Contents: Two complete 54-card decks, including two Jokers per deck, plus bridge scoring card

Vintage and antique items will naturally show signs of age and previous use. We describe all pieces to the best of our knowledge and aim to photograph them honestly without digitally altering their condition.