Ace of Spades Tattoos

The ornate design of the Ace of Spades, common in packs today, stems from the 18th century, when certain duties on playing cards were exacted by the monarchy. Stamp duty, an idea imported to England by William III, was extended to playing cards in 1711; this taxation lasted until 1960.Over the years a number of methods were used to show that duty had been paid. From 1712 onwards, one of the cards