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.
18th century complete set of 52 single ended cards by Lewellyn, circa 1777
Very rare part set of Thomas Bowles South Sea Bubble Stock-jobbing Cards, circa 1720
Complete set of 52 single ended playing cards by Gibson and Hunt, circa 1801
Complete set of 52 Hunt and Sons standard singles ended playing cards, Circa 1810
Complete set of 52 Hall and Son Lodge Type 2 Courts playing cards, circa 1818
Rare complete set of 52 Rudolph Ackermann transformation playing cards, circa 1819
Complete deck of 52 exportation playing cards by I Hardy, circa 1820
Complete deck of 52 Imperial Royal playing cards by S & J Fuller, circa 1830
Complete Piquet deck of 32 playing cards by Hardy & Sons, circa 1840
Victorian Bezique set by James English, complete with 62 cards, rules and two markers
Compete deck of 52 transformation cards by Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor, circa 1870
Group of Victorian playing cards including full 52 card deck by Woolley & Co
Complete deck of 52 cards by Willis & Co. - Deakins's 1st circa 1886
Facsimile set of TierTarok (Bavarian animal tarot), 1977 reproduction of a 1763 set