A PART SET OF REGENCY METASTASIS TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS DESIGNED AND ETCHED BY I.L.S. COWELL, PROBABLY PRINTED BY J. AND S. FULLER, C.1811 with hand-colouring, including: a full set of Diamonds, missing the Ace of Hearts, the King of Spades, and the six and seven of Clubs 9.2 x 6.1cm Catalogue Note See British Museum, Museum number 1896,0501.937 for a similar set of uncut, hand-coloured cards and number 1896,0501.1353.1-6, for a set of five uncut sheets of similar playing cards. Two related sets of cards were sold in these rooms, Furniture, Works of Art & Clocks, 15th September 2009, lot 554 which sold for £7,200 (hammer).

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.