Playing cards--Orange cards or the Revolution of 1688

52 cards, each 90 x 60mm., engraved with captions, hearts and diamonds stencil-coloured in red, plain versos, 13 mounted in a frame, the rest in a folder attached to the back of the frame, a few wormholes, frame broken

Ortiz-Patiño 15; Fournier, British Isles 13 ("the only other copy of this deck is in the British Museum")

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A complete set of polemical cards, covering events from the reign of James II and the birth of his son and heir to the arrival of William of Orange, probably designed by Francis Barlow; for another set of anti-Catholic cards designed by Barlow, see lot 219. The cards are numbered sequentially so that the story can be followed in order, and include gruesome episodes such as the popish midwife chopping up her husband and satirical ones such as a priest selling Thomas a Becket's stockings at auction.

This is one of several sets issued at the time; the British Museum holds at least three other similar sets, and indeed the arrival of William of Orange in England was accompanied by a major propaganda campaign which was fully embraced by the card makers.