Many mysteries lie hidden in the pack of playing cards, which has been with us since the 14th century. What do the oldest surviving cards look like? Playing Cards have been associated with gambling and anti-social behaviour leading to their being demonised by church preachers. In Victorian family circles card games were enjoyed by the fireside.

Playing cards give us understanding of characteristic features of periods, ideas, beliefs and experiences of people in the past, reflecting past eras and ways of life. They are a lesson in craftsmanship and the assembly and combination of components and materials. They have been a focus for design, advertising or invention... a little encyclopædia of social history!

History Topics

Master of the Playing Cards

Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455-60 Read More

Flemish Hunting Deck, c.1475

A set of medieval playing cards with suits of dog collars, tethers, nooses, and hunting horns. Read More

Editor's Picks

Naipes Aparcero

Naipes Argentinos 'Aparcero' published by Obsequios Empresarios Argentinos Read More

La Cubana, S.A.

La Cubana was founded in 1872. The company finally closed down in 1995 thus bringing to a close Mexico's longest standing playing-card factory. Read More

Alf Cooke

History of Alf Cooke's Playing Cards, c.1920-1970 Read More

Cards from U.S.A.

Playing Cards in U.S.A. The manufacture of playing cards in North America began during the second half of the 18th century. Read More

Welsh Political Figures

Welsh Political Figures playing cards Read More

Irish Playing Cards

During the nineteenth century playing cards were being produced in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Read More

Manufacturing Processes

Manufacture of Cards

Article about Manufacture of Playing Cards, 1825: pasting, stencilling, polishing, cutting, etc. Read More

Rotxotxo Workshop Inventory

Rotxotxo Workshop Inventories, Barcelona, 1660-1797 Read More

Playing cards have enormous educational value, with a long history and many different types and styles of cards from around the world. Some are historical, others are political or souvenir packs for tourists. They make us aware of the lives of people living in other places and times, and people with different values and customs. They relate to key areas of our school curriculum.

You will discover something interesting here... from what the earliest playing cards looked like to how to make your own hand-made pack, try your luck on www.galacasino.co.uk or buy an unusual deck to add to your collection. Whether we consider them as a game or an artefact, as merchandise or something which unites people, there is a fascination in the imagery, the tactile pleasure, neat symmetries and quirky symbols.