The Maker
Founded in 1862, W & G Baird Ltd of Belfast remains in operation today as a printing firm. They produced a wide variety of material including prints, propaganda and programmes. Alongside the present deck, the company also published a deck devoted to 'heroic' Irish history, featuring characters from native folk-tales and legends.
The Cards
Perhaps produced during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1920), this deck celebrates Irish history and culture. The backs of the cards decorated with an artistic Celtic pattern in four different colours, while the Jacks are harpers, a symbols associated with the land since the thirteenth century. The Kings and Queens depict historic members of royalty:
Clubs - Niall, Cairenn
Diamonds - Cormac Macairt, Ethne
Hearts - Brian Boru, Gormlaith
Spades - Lóegaire, Fedeln
The backs show typical Celtic decorative artwork. The pip cards are standard, with the number of suit marks reflecting the value of the card, which is written in Arabic numerals in opposite corners, with a miniature suit mark beneath it.