Garibaldi interest - Chester 1903 by William Neale
An Edwardian sterling silver playing cards box

Of rectangular upon four moulded feet. The hinged slightly domed lid with a shaped thumpiece. Each side with glass compartments displaying playing cards of the Goodall and Son company. The front with Empress Augusta of Germany as Queen of Clubs, the back with Giuseppe Garibaldi, as Jack of Hearts. Either side with ace of spades and ace of clubs. Leather fitted interior. Fully marked.

Length - 11 cm / 4.3 inches

Charles Goodall and Son, established in London in the early nineteenth century, became one of Britain’s most prolific manufacturers of playing cards. The firm was known not only for the quality of its printing and card-finishing but also for a series of commemorative and ‘Historic Playing Cards’ issued in the late Victorian period.

The present pack, produced c.1900 features the rulers, consorts, and statesmen of nineteenth-century continental Europe, while the aces bear national flags and the back design commemorates Britain’s own four monarchs of the century

Clubs (Germany): Emperor Wilhelm I (1797 - 1888, reigned from 1871) Empress Augusta (1811 - 1890) Prince Bismarck, the chancellor (1815 - 1898)

Spades (Russia): Czar Alexander II (1818 - 1881, reigned from 1855) Empress Maria (1824 - 1880) Prince Gortchakoff, his chancellor (1798 - 1883)

Hearts (Italy): King Victor Emmanuel II (1820 - 1878, reigned from 1861) Queen Adelaide (1822 - 1855) Garibaldi, the freedom fighter (1807 - 1882)

Diamonds (France): Emperor Napoleon I (1769 - 1821, reigned 1804 - 1814) Empress Josephine (1763 - 1814) Prince Talleyrand, the minister for foreign affairs (1754 - 1838)