Playing cards in hand made case : Mrs A M Cuthbe, Changi Prison

Pack of 52 commercially produced playing cards with blue patterned backs. The Ace of Clubs shows a pair of rabbits underneath a crescent moon with 'PLAYING CARD No.202 MANUFACTURED BY CHENG SING INDUSTRIAL ARTS CO. SHANGHAI, CHINA'. The case for the cards, made by Mrs A M Cuthbe, is constructed from lightweight cardboard covered with dark blue cotton fabric with a light blue, white and red printed pattern. The lid of the case was originally secured by a button, and a loop made from buttonhole stitch. The button has pulled out of the fabric and is missing.

Made by Mrs Augusta M Cuthbe, who was a British civilian internee of the Japanese in Changi Prison, and later at Syme Road, Singapore. Her husband, Mr Kenneth V Cuthbe, an engineer with the British colonial service in Malaya, was interned in the men's section of the prison. Both survived the war and later settled in Australia.