This is an Ace of Spades playing card manufactured by Reynolds & Son of London in about 1850. The image is enhanced to bring out the design and the lettering, The design incorporates emblems relating to the British monarchy, such as the mottoes 'Dieu et mon droit' and 'Honi soit qui mal y pense'. Also featured are British royal emblems such as the crown, the lion and the unicorn. In 1863, Reynolds & Son issued a special commemorative pack on the wedding of the Prince of Wales. The cards have square corners, and the court / picture cards are 'single standing' – they stand one way up, and are not reflected. There are no indices – no K, Q or J on the court cards, and no numbers on the lower values. The Ace of Spades is printed with 'Duty One Shilling' printed across the top. Playing card duty: In 1694 the (British) Government Stamp Office was created to impose 'duties on vellum, parchment and paper...toward carrying on the war against France'. In 1711 a duty of sixpence per pack was levied on playing cards in Britain, even if imported. The duty, made perpetual in 1717, was abolished on 4 August 1960. The initial duty was increased by sixpence in 1756, and again in 1776, 1789, and 1801, to a total of 2s 6d. In 1828 it was reduced to one shilling, and in 1862 to three pence. (Information from The Encyclopedia of Ephemera). Vertical | Close-up | UK | Old | Old-fashioned

High Resolution JPEG Picture of This is an Ace of Spades playing card manufactured by Reynolds & Son of London in about 1850. The image is enhanced to bring out the design and the lettering, The design incorporates emblems relating to the British monarchy, such as the mottoes 'Dieu et mon droit' and 'Honi soit qui mal y pense'. Also featured are British royal emblems such as the crown, the lion and the unicorn. In 1863, Reynolds & Son issued a special commemorative pack on the wedding of the Prince of Wales. The cards have square corners, and the court / picture cards are 'single standing' – they stand one way up, and are not reflected. There are no indices – no K, Q or J on the court cards, and no numbers on the lower values. The Ace of Spades is printed with 'Duty One Shilling' printed across the top. Playing card duty: In 1694 the (British) Government Stamp Office was created to impose 'duties on vellum, parchment and paper...toward carrying on the war against France'. In 1711 a duty of sixpence per pack was levied on playing cards in Britain, even if imported. The duty, made perpetual in 1717, was abolished on 4 August 1960. The initial duty was increased by sixpence in 1756, and again in 1776, 1789, and 1801, to a total of 2s 6d. In 1828 it was reduced to one shilling, and in 1862 to three pence. (Information from The Encyclopedia of Ephemera). [485721466] stock photo