Four of Diamonds Marlborough and his Times
Printmaker: Unknown
The French King, Louis XIV ('the gallick Tyrant') is depicted standing in the sea trying to cut the cord joining the rocks of peace and unity with his sword. He is prevented by an angel, representing Queen Anne of Great Britain, who holds an olive branch. Lady Charlotte Schreiber states that this scene refers to the conclusion of the Treaty of Utrecht, March 30th, 1713, but which she concludes 'must be a mistake'. Her dating of the publication of the Marlborough's Victories cards is given as between December 9th 1707 and October 28th 1708. See, _ Playing Cards of Various Ages and Countries Selected from the Collection of Lady Charlotte Schreiber_, vol. 1, English, Scottish, Dutch and Flemish, edited by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, John Murray, London, 1892.
From a complete pack of 52 playing-cards commemorating the victories of the Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). Spades satirise the French and Spanish enemy, the other three suits represent scenes from the campaigns, mostly in the Netherlands, also in Spain and Belgium; the aces, court and some numeral cards are portraits or satirical or allegorical scenes.
A museum catalogue card is included with the pack and pasted with a printed cutting from a sale catalogue, which has been crossed out in graphite: 'CARDS, A Pack of 52 Curious old Engraved Cards / representing Humourous and Comical Scenes, Military / Portraits of Blucher, Wellington, etc. National Emblematic Figures etc. engraved by L. OSIANDER, scarce'. A graphite inscription written on the card below: 'Pack of 52 line-engraved cards, of historical scenes & personages relating to the War of the Spanish Succession.'. The verso is blank.
The pack of cards and catalogue card are contained inside a folded manilla envelope inscribed in ink in a calligraphic hand: 'Marlborough's Victories / A pack of 52 cards / Reproduced in _Playing Cards [of various ages and countries] / selected from the collection of Lady Charlotte Schreiber_, Vol. 1, plates / 35-38 / See also _BM Satires_, vol. II / nos. 1342-4, 1429, 1435, 1452, 1461, 1491, 1492, 1543, 1544, 1557, / 1560-5, 1576, 1585'.
Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1923) by Perceval, Spencer George
18th Century
Production date:
circa
AD 1715
: Another set: BM 1841,0508.4-55 is dated 1710-1725.
Sheet Height 91 mm Width 60 mm
Accession number: P.13064-R(43)
Primary reference Number: 186298
Stephens/George: 1585
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Paintings, Drawings and Prints
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The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Four of Diamonds" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/186298 Accessed: 2024-12-23 13:08:39
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