Financial Times advertising playing cards (two unopened and sealed packs), 1950s (Abram Games?)

A pair of unopened and sealed 1950s packs of standard-size playing cards by Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd., London, advertising the Financial Times newspaper, with clear transparent plastic box.  The cards feature a delightfully whimsical design with a walking FT in the shape of a factory (with white tinsel smoke) with Santa legs, festooned with Christmas decorations and carrying presents and a fairy wand; the design is probably by the noted graphic designer Abram Games (of 1951 Festival of Britain logo fame), who designed other advertisements for the FT in a similar style.  The box, which measures approximately 12.5 x 9.8 x 2.5cm (4.9 x 3.85 x 1in), is clearly old (although we are not sure whether or not it is original), with warped lid, age discoloration and surface wear.  The cards themselves remain sealed in the original blue and white "Duty Three Pence" paper and cellophane tax wrappers (which indicate a date of pre-1960, since the Excise duty on playing cards was repealed in that year).  Although there is slight tearing, bumping, marking and discoloration to the wrappers, the cards themselves are presumably in excellent condition. 

All prices include standard postage and packing within the United Kingdom only.  If your order is to be shipped to an address outside the United Kingdom, or if you require Special Delivery within the UK, please contact us before you order, so that we can calculate the additional cost and add this to the price of the item(s) you wish to purchase.