Object details
Object number
U11n32
Creator(s)
Charles Goodall & Sons
Title
Deck of Cards
Date
1865-1870
Medium
Printed ink on card stock
Dimensions
9.2 x 6.4 cm (3 5/8 x 2 1/2 in.)
Signatures, inscriptions, and markings
Printed in ink (on ribbon around deck of cards): Mrs. JOHN L. GARDNER - FENWAY COURT - BOSTON 17, MASSACHUSETTS
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Commentary
This deck of cards was created by Charles Goodall & Sons, one of the largest British playing card makers of the 19th century.
Wrapped in a personalized ribbon, this deck was likely used by Isabella herself. She stored it in the Macknight Room, along with several other decks and playing card paraphernalia, clear evidence of her love of games.
Bibliography
Deandra Duarte, “The Hand Isabella Dealt: A Selection of Playing Cards in the Collection,” Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 7 January 2025, www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/isabella-playing-cards-collection
Gallery
Macknight Room
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.