The excise duty on playing cards was abolished on 4 April 1960, as the cost of administration had become excessive.

The motto is ‘Corde Recto Elati Omnes’ meaning ‘with an upright heart all will be exalted’.

The company is undertaking a project to make digitised images of the collection available for internet access.

Formed in 1943, in the year of the mastership of Lindsay Cutler, and administered by trustees, the funds accumulated by members’ donations and fundraising generate income used to help those under the age of 25 for educational purposes as well as financial aid to overcome hardship and distress.

Since the formation of the company in the Middle Ages, the production and use of playing cards in London has declined.