Richard Harding (forger)

[1][4] An illegal manufacturer of playing cards would have to forge the brass legal stamp placed on the ace of spades and create a counterfeit label for the wrapper.

It likewise charged Harding of vending and selling playing cards with these counterfeited impressions, knowing it to be so done.

[4] The attorney general, Spencer Perceval, opened the legal case against Harding and pursued the matter with great vigour.

[1][4] Harding's print shop was behind the house of Mr. Skelton, a dealer in spirits and groceries, in Green Street, Grosvenor Square.

[1][4] This location was where Harding created the spurious ‘duty aces.’[4] Mr. Hockley of the Stamp Office, the official printer of the legal ace of spades, provided evidence to the Court that he bought from Harding and his apprentice packs of playing cards, which contained a counterfeited ace of spades.

[2][8] An account of the Court case against Harding was reported in the ‘Imperial Weekly Gazette’ published at 45, Old Bailey.