Playing cards have been associated with gambling and anti-social behaviour leading to their being demonised by church preachers. They have been used for educational purposes, to assist with learning. They have been used for fortune-telling or divination. In Victorian family circles card games were enjoyed by the fireside. They even relate to key areas of our school curriculum!
Editor's Picks
Playing cards have enormous educational value, with a long history and many diverse types and graphical styles from around the world... View More →
The Steamboat Brand
Owing to the romantic appeal of gambling on the Mississippi river many American playing card manufacturers added “Steamboats” to their range.
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Klubams, Lithuania
Klubams (for the clubs) playing cards manufactured in Lithuania by Spindulys Printing House (Kaunas), c.1930
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The World of Playing Cards Blog is a place where we feature card designers and new creative projects from the open collaborative community. View More →
Pagan Playing Cards by Uusi
A beautifully hand-painted pack inspired by wildlife and the wilderness created by the Uusi design studio.
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Decked Out - Fashion Playing Cards by Connie Lim
Connie Lim has created a beautifully illustrated set of fashion inspired playing cards which she is funding through a Kickstarter campaign.
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Creative Clash Card Game by The Infantree
The Creative Clash card game, by the Infantree, is a fast-paced card game where you become the Principal of a creative agency and battle with your friends for the biggest Ego around.
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Breaking Bad Playing Cards by Jeff Nichol
A set of cards inspired by the hit TV show Breaking Bad, created by Jeff Nichol.
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Parks and Recreation Playing Cards by Andrea Austoni
Custom playing cards based on the TV series Parks and Recreation.
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Elevenses by Adventureland Games
Elevenses is a card game in which respectable 1920s socialites strive to serve the finest morning teas!
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Propaganda cards, war cards and even educational cards all carry a political message... View More →
Russian Anti-Religions
An interesting propaganda pack depicting the various religions of the Soviet Empire.
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Souvenir
A treasury of miniature art, graphic design and self-expression from different periods and locations around the world. View More →
Panama Souvenir
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926.
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Inner Realms Tarot
Saleire is an Irish artist and tarot reader who wants to bring the tarot into the future for teenagers and readers to reflect this day and age.
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Pirate Playing Cards
The idea for these playing cards came from Vitaly Fishilevich's love of pirate stories and hidden treasure...
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Antique playing cards reflect past eras and ways of life. So what do the oldest surviving playing cards look like? View More →
Master of the Banderoles
Playing Cards by the Master of the Banderoles, one of the earliest professional printmakers, c.1470
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The Joker Card
The 'Joker' is believed to have been invented by American Euchre players who sometime during the 1860s decided that an extra trump card was required.
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Knavery of the Rump, 1679
The Knavery of the Rump playing cards are a satirical portrayal of Cromwell's Government during the period 1648-53
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Children's
Card Games - a child's poetic universe. Children's card games are distinct from ordinary playing cards, the most obvious difference being the lack of any court cards or suit marks. Instead game cards are either numbered, lettered or grouped in some other way. View More →
Snip Snap
Snip Snap, the Decimal Currency game, was played like Snap and aimed to familiarize players with the new decimal coinage and monetary values
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Buena Suerte Cartomancy
Buena Suerte Cartomancy cards published by Difusora S.A., Argentina, c.1975
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De la Rue & Co. Ltd
History of De La Rue's Playing Cards. De La Rue introduced letter-press printing into playing card production and his patent was granted in 1831.
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Sociedade Impressora Caxiense
Sociedade Impressora Caxiense, Brazilian playing card manufacturer
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Russell Playing Card Co.
Willis W. Russell started a modest playing card business in Milltown, a small town in northern New Jersey. Production commenced in 1905.
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Playing cards have been with us since the 14th century, when they first became a part of popular culture. Over the centuries superb artwork, graphic design and self-expression has been hidden within packs of cards. View More →
Hycrest Modern Royalty
Spectacular court cards designed in Art Deco style with bright colours, elegant indices and a lovely Joker.
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Austrian Lloyd Steamship Co.
Printed by Modiano for the Austrian Lloyd Steamship Company of Trieste in c.1895.
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Brussels Euro Joker Club '98
Brussels Euro Joker Club's 10th Anniversary deck with artwork by Yvette Cleuter.
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