The archive looks beyond the basics, revealing the wider history behind playing cards. It explores how cards were designed, printed and traded, how they were regulated, and what their imagery was intended to convey. All content is edited with care and supported by sources, images and dates to support reliable research
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Feb 2026 Newsletter Members access
This issue features articles on De La Rue Pack c.1835, Mistakes in Standard English Packs, and An Unusual Happy Families...
Les Amoureux de Peynet
An iconic cartoon veers from cute to sexual with no stops in between.
2 days ago • Lev GolinkinLes Quatre Saisons
A lyrical cycle of the seasons woven into the language of playing cards.
2 days ago • Lev GolinkinLe jeu de cartes des Croisades
Venture into the Crusades in the style of medieval manuscript art.
4 days ago • Lev GolinkinMarty Jacobs commented on United Kingdom
You're very welcome, Simon. I love WOPC, so I'm happy to hel...
4 days agoDanny Spiller commented on Bicycle No.808 - page 2
Thrilled to read the informative history on Bicycle cards. D...
5 days agoModern F.X. Schmid Bavarian Cards
From Plastic to Premium: The legendary F.X. Schmid Tarock & Schafkopf deck, reboxed, refreshed and rebranded.
5 days ago • Konrad HämmerleMariáš - Black & Red Edition
A modern special edition of Prager pattern cards.
5 days ago • Marek BrejchaSimon Wintle commented on United Kingdom
Thanks, Marty, for your helpful comment. Much appreciated an...
5 days agoMarty Jacobs commented on United Kingdom
Thanks for such a detailed article, Simon. Here's a small co...
5 days agoBirb playing cards
Birds are not merely illustrated on the cards but become the court cards themselves.
6 days ago • Lev GolinkinJungle Playing Cards
Welcome to the jungle – a delightful deck from South Africa.
6 days ago • Lev GolinkinUte Mountain Casino Hotel & Resort
Casino playing cards featuring Native American courts.
Jun 1, 2026 • Lev GolinkinSanders
A cheery deck in which playing card courts visit the countryside.
Jun 1, 2026 • Lev GolinkinArrowhead Playing Cards from San Felipe’s Casino Hollywood
A gorgeous and well-researched celebration of Native American culture.
May 31, 2026 • Lev GolinkinLes Grands Navigateurs
Jean Delpech's modernist voyage through the history of Maritime Exploration.
May 31, 2026 • Lev GolinkinLes Chevaliers de la Table Ronde
A pictorial study by Jean Bruneau inspired by an ancient work rooted in Celtic history.
May 31, 2026 • Lev Golinkin
Bosco by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru
‘Bosco’ Playing Cards manufactured by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1930s.
Christmas 1980 playing cards
Festive courts on a Waddingtons pack designed to celebrate Christmas 1980.
Waddingtons Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhyme playing cards by Waddingtons, Leeds, UK, 1975.
Cow & Gate Happy Family Game
Cow and Gate Happy Family game was issued around 1928 to promote nutrition products.
Bertrand Domec, Buenos Aires 1904-1970
Bertrand Domec was an importer of playing cards into Argentina, 1904-1970.
No.14 Rouennais
As far as is known, ‘Rouennais’ has only ever been produced as a sheet of etched court cards and aces. The des...
Circular Coon Cards
Circular playing cards in a round tin titled: Sutherland's Circular Coon Cards published by Hartley Bros Pty L...
Gruppo Perotti playing cards
Stunningly beautiful designs by the Japanese artist Tiger Tateishi for Gruppo Perotti.
Explore
4,903 articles featuring content from 120 countries and 384 themes; including 1,416 manufacturers, 1,181 designers, 268 brands, 26 suits, 53 patterns, 61 games and 33 licenses.
Karl Gerich
Karl Gerich No.33: Views of Bath
Views of Bath is Georgina Harvey's third design, created in 1990. The cards feature beautifully designed doubl...
Karl Gerich No.20: Rouennais A
The Aces are decorated with the pip in a central circle and two different figures at each end of the card. The...
Cartes Turques
"Cartes Turques" was published in 1985. Intricate designs with a hint of orientalism, double borders and disti...
Merry Andrew
There are two Aces to each suit; one plain and the other with figures of a young woman and man, presumably Mer...
Karl Gerich No.33: Views of Bath
Views of Bath is Georgina Harvey's third design, created in 1990. The cards feature beautifully desi...
Karl Gerich No.20: Rouennais A
The Aces are decorated with the pip in a central circle and two different figures at each end of the...
Cartes Turques
"Cartes Turques" was published in 1985. Intricate designs with a hint of orientalism, double borders...
Merry Andrew
There are two Aces to each suit; one plain and the other with figures of a young woman and man, pres...
MPC (makeplayingcards.com)
MPC (makeplayingcards.com)
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
Fried Chicken Playing Cards
This innovative chicken-themed concept combines playing cards with the aroma of fried chicken.
Alien Arcana Tarot
A series of three tarot decks inspired by the Alien film franchise, created by Roy Huteson Stewart.
Get Decked
Black and white cartoons devised by Sam Wagner with help from artist Lindsay Bevington.
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
Fried Chicken Playing Cards
This innovative chicken-themed concept combines playing cards with the aroma of fried chicken.
Alien Arcana Tarot
A series of three tarot decks inspired by the Alien film franchise, created by Roy Huteson St...
Get Decked
Black and white cartoons devised by Sam Wagner with help from artist Lindsay Bevington.
SNP Ausprint Jokers
A series of SNP Ausprint jokers with the various wording and name changes
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian-made deck of cards produced for Malaysian Airline Systems (MAS).
SNP Ausprint Jokers
A series of SNP Ausprint jokers with the various wording and name changes
Hand Drawn Joker Pack
Pack of 52 hand-drawn Jokers.
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian-made deck of cards produced for Malaysian Airline Systems (MAS).
The story behind some special Jokers
How the “Gibbons” Jokers came into being.
Playing Card Backs
Torras y Lleó, Barcelona, Spain, c.1838-1921
Francisco Torras y Lleó was a playing-card maker in calle Carmen, Barcelona, who flourished during the period ...
Barribal Series
William H. Barribal (1873 - 1956) was a London artist who created the Waddingtons 'Barribal' playing cards ser...
Three Rare Playing Card Back Designs
The Norwood 85 (USPC, c.1909): a very scarce American deck with two fine art back designs, apparently survivin...
59: Owen Jones (1809-74) and De La Rue
A selection of examples of Owen Jones's artwork printed by De La Rue.
Torras y Lleó, Barcelona, Spain, c.1838-1921
Francisco Torras y Lleó was a playing-card maker in calle Carmen, Barcelona, who flourished during t...
Barribal Series
William H. Barribal (1873 - 1956) was a London artist who created the Waddingtons 'Barribal' playing...
Three Rare Playing Card Back Designs
The Norwood 85 (USPC, c.1909): a very scarce American deck with two fine art back designs, apparentl...
59: Owen Jones (1809-74) and De La Rue
A selection of examples of Owen Jones's artwork printed by De La Rue.
Spanish playing cards for Yerba Armiño
Spanish-suited playing cards for Yerba Armiño, anonymous manufacturer probably made in China.
Argenar, Buenos Aires, c.1980
The reverse has advertising for Cymaco motor spares who have branches in Uruguay.
Copa de Oro 1980
Naipes “Copa de Oro 1980” manufactured by Compañía General de Fósforos Montevideana, 1980.
Native Indian Hand-made Cards made on rawhide
Native Indian hand-made cards made on rawhide.
Spanish playing cards for Yerba Armiño
Spanish-suited playing cards for Yerba Armiño, anonymous manufacturer probably made in China.
Argenar, Buenos Aires, c.1980
The reverse has advertising for Cymaco motor spares who have branches in Uruguay.
Copa de Oro 1980
Naipes “Copa de Oro 1980” manufactured by Compañía General de Fósforos Montevideana, 1980.
Native Indian Hand-made Cards made on rawhide
Native Indian hand-made cards made on rawhide.
United States Playing Card Co.
McDonald’s Playing Cards
McDonald’s playing cards by the United States Playing Card Co., Cincinnati, c.1997
Royal Pulp Playing Cards
Two beautifully crafted custom playing cards decks. Featuring brightly colored illustrations and gorgeous typo...
Army & Navy No.303
Over the years eight different Aces of Spades were used with this brand and the Joker was also modified severa...
The Black Book of Cards
The Black Book of Cards by UnCommon Beat
McDonald’s Playing Cards
McDonald’s playing cards by the United States Playing Card Co., Cincinnati, c.1997
Royal Pulp Playing Cards
Two beautifully crafted custom playing cards decks. Featuring brightly colored illustrations and gor...
Army & Navy No.303
Over the years eight different Aces of Spades were used with this brand and the Joker was also modif...
The English Playing Card Society
Founded in 1984, the English Playing Card Society (EPCS) promotes research into the history and development of English playing cards and card games, and supports the exchange of information and ideas between collectors, researchers, archivists, designers, manufacturers and dealers.
The Society publishes the EPCS Newsletter three times a year and maintains an online archive of back issues.
The Big Picture
Playing cards have a universal appeal and are a reflection of human culture.
Above: Chinese money-suited cards. Some of the earliest cards have origins in the Far East.
Playing cards have a long history and cultural significance, forming a part of almost every society around the world. The origins of playing cards can be traced back centuries, and today they remain a universal symbol of creativity, entertainment, and human connection. These small, rectangular pieces of paper have been a source of fun for generations and are still enjoyed in countless ways—whether in a simple game of solitaire, a high-stakes poker match, or the tarot cards used for fortune-telling. There is something about the history and design of 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!”
Above: Dasavatara Ganjifa from India. Playing cards from India are often circular.
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.
Above left: a set of Spanish playing cards from 1638 was discovered inside a prison wall during demolition, likely used for gambling by prisoners. Above center: Trump Presidential playing cards, playing cards are often used for political messages. Above right: the Magician from the popualr Rider-Waite tarot, which has become the template for modern tarot decks.
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.
Above left: Kashmir Playing Cards, above center: Ethiopian Air Lines playing cards produced by Nintendo, above right: striking playing cards designed by Masuo Ikeda.
Playing cards have a wide embrace, spanning across cultures and countries, with a scope of diverse subjects that reflect the values and beliefs of their respective societies.
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.
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