Item Details
Sketchley's "Conversation" Cards.
England: James Sketchley, c.1750. Unique. Concertina. James Sketchley was a British publisher who produced, from at least 1750 in England, the “Conversation Cards” as an educational game for children. In addition, he was an ardent Freemason who stated: “A man, who, if Masonry e’er was the theme...His bosom with Rapture would glow and expand.” From a newspaper advertisement in 1775, "it is natural to seek for amusement or diversion, the cards show consequence... they improve and instruct; they will exercise the imagination, enlarge the understanding, and every one that plays with them are sure to be gainers..." With 15 hand-colored panels, possibly meant for a fortune-telling purpose or game, or possibly just a word game. The panels, or cards, are entitled "Friendship", "Gratitude", "Mask", "Deceit", "Oeconomy", "Good Woman", "Good Nature", "Coach", "Cottage", "Old Bachelor", "Letter", "Security", "Plenty", "Justice", "Hall". A complete set found in the Toronto Public Library collection. Very Good. Collection of 15 hand-colored conversation "fortune telling" cards, mounted on rough canvas linen and selectively colored with color washes, accordion folded, or [leporello] though, this is an incomplete set; original set was [52] cards. The set is finely and delicately printed from copperplate plate etchings. With moderate condition issues; soiling to surface of illustrations and marred with blue water color paint over surface. Regardless, an extremely scarce specimen of early 18th century printing and an example of parlor games. Item #9909
Price: $2,400.00