Search 4,377 articles...
Playing cards combine many aspects of our history including paper-making, printing technologies, innovation, symbolism, graphic design and how these have changed over the years. Whatever your interest in cards, you'll find something interesting here.
Golden Boys
Players from the 1998 Czech Olympic ice hockey team with photography by Jiří Koliš.
Football playing cards
52 different legends from the world of football.
Clans & Tartans of Scotland
“Clans & Tartans of Scotland” deck of cards designed and illustrated by Romilly Squire, 1997.
Wüst Spanish pattern
Wüst Spanish pattern c.1910 advertising Cuban ‘Tropical’ beer.
Chocolate playing cards with scenes from World War 1
An extraordinary Spanish pack of chocolate advertising playing cards dating from 1920.
Adolph Wulff Kort No.70
Playing cards for Denmark made by C.L. Wüst
Trump playing cards
Trump playing cards produced by the Godesky brothers, USA, 2016.
Meantime brewery
‘Meantime’ craft brewery playing cards, United Kingdom, c. 2000.
Komandirskie [Commanders]
‘Komandirskie’ military-themed playing cards from Russia, 1997.
7: Brands and Packs
The introduction of brands commenced during the late 19th century as a development of the old qualit...
The Evolution of Bezique boxed sets, 1869 to 1990
The first company to register Bezique materials with Stationers’ Hall was Josh Reynolds & Son in Sep...
Piquet: the game and its artifacts
Piquet may be the oldest card game which is still played today with origins going back to early 16th...
Why do we Collect? My 20 Favourite Items
I suppose people collect for different reasons, rarity, quality, ingenuity of design, sentimental va...
Karl Gerich No.22: “Rouennais”
Karl Gerich’s hand-made design No.22: “Rouennais”, Victoria P.C.C, Bath (UK), 1990.
De La Rue Continental
During the latter part of the nineteenth century De La Rue produced two special packs of cards for t...
Cartes Turques Patience
Derived from “Cartes Turques” first made by Glanz, then later by van Genechten, Brepols & Piatnik. 3...
Cartes à Rire
Transformed playing cards featuring satirical caricatures of political figures then in the ascendant...
Akadama Honey Wine by Nintendo
Suntory Akadama Honey Wine playing cards manufactured by Nintendo, Japan, c.1970.
Loriot Rummy
Delightful comical deck designed by Loriot, the German cartoonist and comedian, 1973.
Morgan-Greer Tarot
Based on the knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Paul Foster Case and Arthur Edward Waite.
New Palladini Tarot
“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in 1996.
The Aquarian Tarot Deck
The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.
The Tarot Strikes Back
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
House of Tudor
Randy Butterfield's House of Tudor playing cards feature detailed art in a high-quality collectible ...
Jack-O’-Lantern Tarot
Giuliano Costa's Jack-O’-Lantern tarot blends Rider-Waite symbolism with the rich and atmospheric th...
Burgundy pattern
The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.
Jeu Quatre Empereurs
Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other dignitaries on the court...
Kings and Queens of Brazil & Portugal
Historical playing cards by C. L. Wüst depicting monarchs of Brazil and Portugal.
The History of Playing Cards
Playing cards arrived in Europe the late 14th century and rapidly became a part of popular culture. Antique playing cards are like a visit to the local museum and evoke images of past eras and ways of life and also demonstrate archaic technology or production methods. So what do the oldest surviving playing cards look like?
Das Kupferstichspiel des I.M.F. von 1617
Playing cards had been made as precious objects for wealthy clients since the late 14th century. The...
Mapuche Indian Playing Cards
Spanish-suited playing cards made on rawhide and said to have been used by Chilean Mapuche Indians, ...
Moorish playing cards
These two uncoloured, uncut sheets of early Moorish playing cards were formerly preserved in the Ins...
Delightful Cards, c.1723
Delightful Cards, containing variety of entertainment for young Ladies and Gentlemen c.1723.
Art & Design
Design Caricatures Abstract Cartoon Celtic Deco Jugendstil Renaissance Rococo SurrealismThe playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size imposes some limitations there is an almost bewildering wealth and variety of designs in playing cards and their tuck boxes. The serious player requires design to be unobtrusive so that aesthetic considerations remain in the background. However, with modern manufacturing technology more eye-catching designs are becoming popular as gifts, collectibles and for their attractive appearance.
Tales from the Stage
"Tales from the Stage" - an article about theatrical playing cards by Rod Starling
Banque Nationale de Paris, c.1962
Special deck made for La Banque Nationale de Paris by Van Genechten, Turnhout, c.1962.
Geprüfte Sicherheit
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Accident Research, 1978
Saks-Werbespiel
Promotional playing cards printed by Dondorf for Saks & Company, New York, late 1920s.
Oracle, Divination & Tarot
The art of interpreting divine omens - augury or reading karma - has since ancient times been integral to political, civic and religious life.
More recently, Cartomancy and modern esoteric tarot packs have been produced in a wide variety of conceptions and involve use of imagination and intuition to assess one’s thoughts and feelings from the view point of the symbolic images and numbers.
It is possible for an object to be construed as a game in one context, and as something other than a game in a different context.
Tarot, originally a 15th century card game, has evolved into a popular system of personal mysticism, self-exploration and spirituality Learn more about tarot►
Tarocco Bolognese
Tarocco Bolognese
The ‘Mystic’
The ‘Mystic’ Fortune Teller card game by Clifford Toys.
Jeu de Cartomancie pour l’amusement des Dames
Early French Cartomancy deck "for the amusement of Ladies" but also referred to as "Jeu divinatoire ...
Jean Noblet Tarot de Marseille
Jean Noblet: the oldest known ‘Tarot de Marseille’ deck, Paris, c.1650.
The games we play mirror the world we live in, like popular art. There was a time when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside and enjoyed countless hours of pleasure and amusement. Children don’t play card games so much because they prefer computer games, the ultimate excitement. Antique and vintage card games offer documentary evidence, as well as nostalgic memories, of the social interaction, fashions and stereotypes of bygone days and are a study in social anthropology.
French card games are mostly Jeux des Sept Familles. German games are often pleasing on the eye, and they seem to favour quartet games. USA love quartets of world worthies like authors, painters, composers. Games are not simply an escape from the real world, they are also educational and provide a place to process what it all means.
Lexicon
The summer of 1932 saw the introduction of Lexicon, when a small edition was produced and sold to te...
Olsen Smygvänliga
Olsen Spelkort Smygvänliga - Swedish pattern made by F.X. Schmid for Olsen
Bobs y’r Uncle
“Bobs y'r Uncle” nursery rhyme card game designed by Frank H. Simpson for John Waddington Ltd. in 19...
Paw Patrol
Paw Patrol Jumbo Playing Cards by Cardinal 2016.
The Big Picture
Playing cards have a universal appeal and are a reflection of human culture.
Playing cards are a part of almost every culture and society around the world. These small, rectangular pieces of paper have been a source of entertainment for generations and are still enjoyed by people of all ages today. Whether it’s a simple game of solitaire, a high-stakes game of poker, or a magic trick that delights, there’s something about playing cards that captures the imagination and inspires creativity. As Delef Hoffmann once said “whether we consider cards as mere merchandise or as the bond which unites people with one another, just think of what we would be if we had no cards! How boring and unsociable our lives would be without this invention!”
The origin of cards can be traced back to China, where they were first used as early as the 9th century. From there, the cards travelled across Asia and the Middle East, and finally found their way to Europe in the 14th century.
Since then, playing cards have been used for a wide range of purposes, including fortune-telling and even propaganda. But the most significant impact they have had on humanity is through their use in games, which have brought people together for centuries.
While playing cards have brought people together for fun and play, they have also been a source of disruption in the form of gambling. For many, gambling has become an addiction, leading to financial ruin and even anti-social problems.
The artistic value of cards cannot be overlooked, with their intricate details and unique designs of each card reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of artists. Playing cards are a reflection of our society, with each country and region having its unique designs and styles. As Sylvia Mann put it “there are fashions in cards, and these fashions very often reflect the history of the times”. From the bold and colourful designs of India to the intricate and detailed patterns of Russia, playing cards are a testament to the creativity and diversity of the human experience.
Playing cards are an enduring symbol of human connection and creativity, transcending language, borders and cultures. Through the power of games, they have brought people together for centuries, creating shared experiences that have fostered friendships, learning and social bonds. While their role in gambling has been disruptive, their stunning artistic designs elevate them to works of art, worthy of appreciation and admiration. Playing cards are a testament to the power of human creativity and a reflection of the rich cultural tapestry of our world.
References
Contribute to the World of Playing Cards
We are searching for fresh voices to collaborate with and contribute to the growth of the World of Playing Cards.
If you have an interesting perspective, idea, theory, opinion, observation, or how-to guide related to playing cards that you’d like to share, then fill in the form below.
We are currently in search of:
- Reviews of card decks
- Reviews of literature related to playing cards
- Previews of upcoming playing card projects
- Interviews with designers
- Academic articles
- Research-based articles
Additionally, you can:
- Advertise a list of items for sale
- Promote a Kickstarter project
- Create your own playing card blog
- or just share your personal collection
It is important that the article you submit be entirely original content. Every article published will include an "About the Author" section with a link to your website, an avatar photo and a one-sentence bio.
How to Contribute?
Fill in the form below and we will get back to you.
About the World of Playing Cards
Our aim is to increase awareness and appreciation of the cultural and historical significance of playing cards.
The World of Playing Cards was established in 1996 as a place where you can learn about playing cards, their history, design and manufacture, and see cards from around the world.
They reflect the traditions of many countries. They vary widely in size, style, shape, artistry, usage and many other purposes in education, marketing or even for fortune telling. There is a fascination in playing card design: the neat symmetries and quirky symbols. The composition of the pack - court cards, suits, pips - provides endless scope of play.
They are recognised everywhere around the world - we rarely question their origins.
Since their invention, cards have lost none of their popularity. Playing cards have a long history and it's in the art that the richness of playing cards is to be discovered.
Simon & Adam
We humbly ask for your help
We’re a team of two that depends on donations to ensure the site remains online and thriving.
We intentionally keep the site ad-free. Whilst revenue generated from advertisements could give us the resources to improve the website, on the other hand, advertising may be at odds with our mission and our aims to educate. By their very nature ads are biassed content intended to influence people.
The amount you donate is up to you and we are grateful that so many people find value in the World of Playing Cards and want to sustain its future.