Current Location: In storage
Titles
Jack of Swords (Thaliesson)
Baker and Co's Eclectic Cards
Maker(s)
Printmaker:
Unknown
Publisher:
Baker & Co
Entities
Categories
Description
A hand-coloured etching and engraving on pasteboard of a male, Druidic figure with a long white beard, wearing a long white robe with gold belt, wearing sandals on her feet and holding a long staff in his right hand and a short white rod in his left. He wears a white hat with wings and 'ears'. The figure represented is Thaliesson, 'the Welsh bard and poet, dressed like a herald or king-at-arms of the divine and ancient Druids as he sung to King Henry II of the great deeds of Arthur, the justly-termed hero of the British Isle, knight of Cambria', as described in the Baker & Co. pamphlet that was published with the cards, see below. The pip, a Spata, or type of sword used by the Ancient Britons, is located at upper right. The card is untitled. From a pack of 52 playing cards which employs fanciful suits based on French and German models themed according to the countries of the United Kingdom: England (Acorns), Scotland (Diamonds), Wales (Spades) and Ireland (Hearts). The British Museum has a set of these cards (1848,1209.296-349) which includes an uncoloured title-card printed with the publisher's details as follows: 'Baker & Co's Eclectic Cards. For England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. Sold Wholesale and Retail at their Manufactory, No. 2 King Arthur or New Card Court, York Street, Black Friar's Road, London. N.B. To be had of all Respectable Stationers in the United Kingdom'. This pack is also accompanied by a twelve-page printed pamphlet which gives, 'A short account of Baker and Co.'s Complete, Grand, Historical, Eclectic Cards, for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, being a selection or an Eclectic Company of Twelve of the most eminent personages that ever distinguished themselves in those respective countries for Heroic Deeds, Wisdom, &c.', and which was printed by Theodore Page, Black Friar's Road in 1813.
Legal notes
Given by E. Evelyn Barron, 1940-02-06
