Coming Up Trumps: The Christopher Rayner Collection of playing cards

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Christopher Rayner was a keen collector of playing cards and formed his large collection over several decades, he was interested in all kinds of playing cards and was well-informed on the subject. He was a long-standing member of the International Society of Playing Cards and at various times served with great distinction as its secretary, chairman, vice president and president, regularly contributing to the society’s publications. Outside of the world of playing cards, Chris was a hardworking and conscientious asylum support tribunal judge as well as being a social security judge and a parking and congestion charge adjudicator. These roles are testament to his strong moral compass, which, in retirement, spurred him on to engage in voluntary work with Beacon House helping the homeless restructure their lives and to volunteering with the local running group. 

Part I of Christopher’s collection will feature in our forthcoming Fine Art sale on the 5th and 6th of November, with further sales to follow. Part I includes cards spanning three centuries, including rare Tarot and Transformation decks. We anticipate tremendous interest in this fine and well preserved collection.