Not everything is as you expect and that's the case with this item. On the outside this looks like a double pack of ordinary "Hamilton" playing cards by The United States Playing Card Company of Cincinnati featuring on the reverse a rural scene with traditional costumes - one pack blue and the other pink. We guess dating from between the 1950's to 1970's. The red box is strong and intact but has some rubbing along the edges and slight surface damage probably caused by the removal of a price label at some stage. The underneath shows the design of the two packs of cards. On taking off the lid the unexpected is revealed, two sets of normal playing cards manufactured by Goodall & Son Ltd of London and advertising Barclay's Lager. Each pack is complete with 52 cards and one joker. On the reverse is the logo of the brewery, featuring Dr Johnson, one pack is light blue and the other dark blue in colour. The edges are slightly discoloured around the edges due to being played with for many decades otherwise they are in very good condition. The brewers Barclay, Perkins & Co produced a light and dark lager hence the different shades of blue for each pack. Having done a little research we believe these cards to date most likely between the 1920's to 1930's but certainly not after 1950. Barclay, Perkins & Co were taken over in 1955 and the card company used the registration featured on the Ace of Spade between 1925 and 1950 before also being taken over. An interesting item for a collector of vintage playing cards, as an intriguing piece of breweriana for a beer enthusiast, or as an item of interest related to Camden (card makers) or Southwark (brewer).

Date: c.1920's - 1930's
Maker: Goodall & Son Ltd
Made in England

Dimensions (Box): 12.5cm x 9.5cm x 2cm