Masters Installation Cards from 1940 to 1959
1941 Master: Richard E Robinson
Guildhall: December 1940. On fire during during the Blitz on London. It was decided 30,000 packs should be issued to assist relief of hardship in the United Kingdom Playing Card Industry because of the War. Only a limited number were eventually printed.
(A) Grey border. (B) Bright Blue border.
1942 Master: Lindsay W S Cutler
Malta: The Island awarded the George Cross for its gallantry during the blockade in the Second World War. 1000 packs issued.
(A) Red border. (B) Grey border.
Double packs were presented to H.E. The Governor of Malta and to the Mayor of Valletta.
1945 Master: H Cobden Turner JP
Peace: A winged goddess standing triumphant on flags of Germany and Japan with St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben in the background.
3000 packs were issued in 1945 and a further 1000 packs were ordered so that a double pack could be presented
to each person present at a Livery Dinner in October 1946.
(A) Red border. (B) Blue border.
1951 Master: Harold E Smith
Festival of Britain: Showing the Festival symbol above a view of the South Bank Exhibition illuminated at night.
Structures such as the Dome of Discovery and the Skylon are reflected in the River Thames which flows in the foreground. 3500 packs issued.
(A) Grey border. (B) Red border.
1953 Master: Norman V Watson
Special Packs: Barrel-shaped Standard Full Size playing cards and standard square Patience Cards, the backs of which bear a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
(A) Red border. (B) Purple border.
Presented by the Master to the Ladies at the installation dinner. Three padded blue boxes set in a long blue padded gift box on which is printed
the gold Coat of Arms and with an inscription inside. Produced by John Waddington Limited.
The Royal River Pageant: 22 July in Coronation year. Sailing in procession from Greenwich up the river to the centre of London.
(A) Maroon border. (B) Dark blue border.
The Company contributed to the Barge of the Livery Companies.
1955 Master: James Dupree
The Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill, K.G., P.C., O.M., C.H., F.R.S., M.P.: Portrait with the Houses of Parliament in the background. 3200 packs issued.
(A) Bright red border. (B) Bright blue border.
Six double packs of cards were sent to the Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill.
The Lord Mayor was given fifteen double packs for presentation at a luncheon at the Mansion House on 5 December to the American Ambassador
and the President and Delegates of Colonial Williamsburg.
1958 Master: Wm. Edgell Luke
Transantarctic Expedition: Commemorating the successful crossing by Sir Edmund Hillary and Dr. Vivian Fuchs. 2100 packs issued.
(A) Maroon border. (B) Dark blue border.
Twin packs of cards were sent to Dr. Vivian Fuchs and Sir Edmund Hillary.
1959 Master: E G Walpole-Brown
Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway: June 26th. Inset portraits of President Eisenhower and H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
superimposed upon a map. 2100 packs issued.
(A) Red border. (B) Blue border.
Boxes of cards were presented to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, the President of the United States and to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. John G. Diefenbaker.