Antedating of "Play the ---- Card"

[Shapiro, Fred]

Mr. Gladstone's statement yesterday as to the intention of the Government to bring forward a measure for amending the purchase clauses of the Land Act, and also the Labourers' Act, has taken the public by surprise. ... It is said that the change of intention on the part of the Cabinet is due to pressure brought to bear upon them by their Liberal friends in Ulster, who wish to play the land purchase card at the elections.
Times (London), May 22, 1885, p. 10

It seems that the origin of this usage may relate to the Ulster / Gladstone nexus.

Fred Shapiro

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