When I thought I had it all figured out I received new information from Toby Edwards, who is a long time collector. He knew of this double-ended King of Hearts with two different symbols.
This design appears in some of Philadelphia card maker Samuel Hart's early two-way decks.
This design appears in some of Philadelphia card maker Samuel Hart's early two-way decks.
Was the Eight pointed star a nod to the English card maker De La Rue's
court card design Hart appeared to use?
Was the "S" and Heart a symbolic play on his name?
Plus, this is the only design I have seen where the blade appears on the other side of the head.
1860s De La Rue on the left and Samuel Hart on the right.
(Special thanks goes out to Jason McKinstry for the Hart photo.)