On the Playing Cards and their Creators

There are several individuals who are associated with the development of playing cards. Mostly it - Thomas De La Rue and Samuel Hart. Playing cards were not always glossy and colored. Although the first cards originated in Persia in the 8th century, and then appeared in China in the 12th century, the modern form they purchased in Europe. By the 15th century to the deck was added to a primitive set of royal cards: King, Knight and Jack. At that time, the deck could be from 48 to 56 cards. Later became the standard 52-card deck. Prior to Thomas De La Rue cards were made of wood planks, which were painted by hand.

Thomas De La Rue - the father of the color pattern on playing cards.

In 1831 Thomas De La Rue has received a patent for the production of colored playing cards that was the first step on the way to his celebrity for mechanization color printing. Improvement of the printing press allowed De La Rue perfectly print four colors simultaneously. It could also establish of low-cost mass production of playing cards for casinos. New printing press covered the cracks in the cards. This was a new approach, because while cracks and tag were commonplace. De La Rue has hired only the best artists to work on the reverse side of his cards.

He asked for help from Owen Jones, whose completion card design was mostly career. For 20 years he painted 173 version back of the card. De La Rue was able to see the future and by the 1870s he produced about 100,000 packs per year. He could sell them in large quantities at prices that people can afford. Maps have become rounded edges and glossy finish. De La Rue is referred to as "the father of English playing cards." The famous writer Charles Dickens wrote an article advertising the company De La Rue, which was called the “deck of cards ". She talked about the history of playing cards, and De La Rue’s contribution to their development. Over time, De La Rue’s career expanded to the production of tickets on trains, stamps, banknotes and other items.

Samuel Hart - creator of card indexes:

Across the ocean advances in printing belonged to Samuel Hart. Its growth in trade has occurred in paper printing and paper making. In his family were craftsmen who produced pencils and stationery products, as well as selling books. Therefore, Hart was absolutely natural to choose a similar occupation. He mastered the profession and in 1844 opened a store. Vsore he called his case Samuel Hart & Co. He was the only person who started being printed and the local production of playing cards.

Five years later, fully immersed in the production of playing cards. Decks have covers, which gave its name to Hart Hart's Linen Eagle, Club House, London Club Cards and others. Everywhere was printed trademark Hart - eagle. The cards were very popular and have left their mark in history. Origin Hart and ongoing training led to his own card technology. During his studies, he worked under the guidance of the master card Lewis I. Cohen. He also met with John Levy, John Lawrence and other card masters.

They all wanted to produce popular brands, demonstrating their skills and craftsmanship. Hart also had a flair, and already by the 1990s he earned acclaim for many first-class products such as two-sided card with rounded corners and a glossy coating that facilitates their shuffle. He was not always the inventor of any innovations, but it is always the first entered them into mass production, and made them part of the American tradition. He belongs to the introduction of the wild card, which appeared in the 60s of the 19th century.

Card game Euchre, needed a trump card, which became a joker. Another interesting feature of the time - bilateral image figures. Prior to this, the figure depicted on maps on one side only. Hart teamed up with the masters of their school: Cohen, Lawrence and Levi, as well as masters of the New York Consolidated Card Company and founded Hart & Co. All of them are united by the desire to improve the industry for the production of playing cards, and they are constantly improving its products. Hart suggested «Squeezers». They were playing cards with a miniature figure denomination and suit in the corner, allowing the player to reveal a hand fan and see all the cards.

Another master of playing cards:

Known personalities in the world of mapping were also Russell, Morgan & Co . . . . , Andrew Doherty, L. Hewson and Pierre Marechal. In 1889, Russell, Morgan & Co. . . . Texas printed deck. Drawing on maps proportionally spaced, and they looked very attractive and elegant. Maps have mirror image and angular indices. They were excluded from printing more than 80 years, but recently re-emerged with the base view of the finish of paper under the fabric with a slight staining. Texas map was easy to keep in bunches, distribute and shuffle. They were used by both professionals and amateurs. Russell, Morgan & Co. . . . Were also the creators of Marlboro Texan, who came to be considered the standard playing cards? Maps have a modern look, which over the years has been improved.

Andrew Doherty began his career in 1842. He created the "American card." The cases of all decks depicted eagle. He also created the army and allied card card during the American Civil War. Dougherty played an important role in the development of card indexes. Maps L. Hewson did not stand the test of time because they were of poor quality. Little is known about Hewson and his English followers. His method was underdeveloped and disappeared from the history of playing cards. Nevertheless, it is considered an early manufacturer having success in the 1680s.