c. 1567 - early english pattern jacks:: These cards date from the reign of Elizabeth I of England and are some of the earliest examples of the English pattern of playing cards. The jacks of hearts and diamonds no longer exist from this deck, but we can see the detailing of clothing in the remaining two cards that are the basis for the modern designs we have today. The garments are whimsical and colourful examples of the early Tudor style (the gable hood that queens still wear on modern playing cards were fashionable around the era of Elizabeth's grandmother and namesake, Elizabeth of York, and the jacks' caps are similar to those worn by Henry VII and Henry VIII).

All the court cards at this time were standing and full-length portraits, although none of these cards were ever intended to be portraits of actual historical monarchs or personages. Great lengths were made to make each of these crude woodcuts distinct from one another... some jacks, or knaves as they were still called, were in profile, others were facing left, still others facing right.

 
c. 1770s - american revolutionary war deck:: Two hundred years later, the cards still look similar, but years of poorly designed woodcuts transformed the court cards significantly. The jack of spades still is in profile facing right, but has gained a moustache (transformed from a line on the face?) and his axe has been changed into an odd scepter or knife. The jack of clubs has gained a feather or leaf in his cap and his posture has changed from facing right but looking over his shoulder to simply facing left. We can assume that the jacks of hearts and diamonds also underwent similar design changes during this time.
 
c. 1850s - american civil war deck:: These cards more closely resemble modern cards and are highlighted with gold. The changes that have happened over the last two to three hundred years seemed to have stabilized as manufactures from the USA and Europe continue to make cards very similar to each other in the English pattern.
 
1864 - american "highlanders" deck:: Despite the fact that this deck uses different colours of ink and were created in a different time by a different manufacture, the overall design of each court card is firmly established.

 

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