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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.
The Simpsons™ (Czech version)
Non-standard Bohemian cards featuring The Simpsons made for EFKO, Czech Republic, 2014.
Le Jeu des Chats (Dubout)
Cartoon-style illustrations of cats on playing cards created by the French artist Albert Dubout.
Waddington’s “Silkette” Playing Cards
Cards made by John Waddington Ltd. for the Madras Club, Chennai (formerly Madras), India, c.1930.
Renaissance Playing cards made by C.L.Wüst
Rococo style playing cards from Frankfurt.
Goodall 1879-1880 Sample Book
Complete contents of a sample book by Goodall & Sons
Goodall 1915-1916 Sample Book
Complete contents of a sample book by Goodall & Sons
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) playing cards
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) licensed playing cards, USA, 2005
Postillion Schafkopf
Postillion Schafkopf dedicated to the history of the German postal service.
World of the New Russians
‘World of the New Russians’ (Mir novykh russkikh) satirical playing cards, 2002.
71: Woodblock and stencil: the hearts
A presentation of the main characteristics of the wood-block courts of the heart suit.
Cribbage Board Collection part 3
A collection of antique and vintage Cribbage Boards by Tony Hall, part 3
Miniature Card Dominoes
A miniature set of Goodall domino cards (5.9 x 3.5 cms) still in perfect condition.
Progressive Whist Cards - page 2
Wireless Whist itself, in many forms...
Comic Question & Answer cards
Comic Question & Answer cards by Josh. Reynolds & Sons, circa 1850.
Brussels Euro Joker Club 1998
Brussels Euro Joker Club's 10th Anniversary deck, with artwork by Yvette Cleuter, was produced in a ...
Graciela Rodo Boulanger
Boulanger's paintings and graphic art works are easily recognized. The Latin American influence is a...
Convoy
“Convoy” WW2 card game published by Tree Brand c.1940, based on wartime naval convoys.
Round the World
Round the World card game published by Pepys, 1961.
Parkinson’s Happy Families
Parkinson’s Happy Families published by Parkinson’s of Doncaster, confectioners established in the e...
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?
Jeu Mythologique
“Jeu Mythologique” facsimile 18th century pack by J M Simon, 1983.
Pope Joan Trays
Some traditional Pope Joan boards comprise a circular tray, others are square, divided into sections...
XV Century Italian Playing Cards
Cards from a pack of an early form of north Italian playing cards, with the swords back-to-back and ...
Hofamterspiel, c.1460
Hofamterspiel, c.1460
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.
Baraja Asescoin 1998
Asescoin 1998 member’s pack designed by Josep Soriano.
Alice in Wonderland by Jesús Blasco
Alice with artwork by Jesús Blasco, published by Lo Scarabeo, 2003.
Hello Kitty
“Hello Kitty” playing cards published by Sanrio, manufactured in China, 2013.
Bilder zum Tarot
Detailed pen and ink drawings of the major arcana by the German artist Helmut Wonschick.
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►
Dungeons & Dragons “Curse of Strahd” Tarokka Deck
Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons game with the Tarokka Deck, a tarot-inspired set of cards that bring...
Petit Etteilla cartomancy cards
“Petit Etteilla” cartomancy cards designed and published by Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, Paris ...
The Fortune Teller's Deck
The Fortune Teller’s Deck was published in 1995 in conjunction with a book written by Jane Lyle. The...
Cartomancia Astrología Quirologia Tests
A set of rather unusual and non-standard cartomancy cards from Argentina with religious connotations...
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.
Snap Cards
Clifford Series Snap Cards, c.1950.
Contraband
Contraband by Pepys Games was first published in early 1950s.
Fairyland Snap
“Fairyland Snap” designed by A. E. Kennedy and published by C. W. Faulkner & Co., c.1930.
EPCS February 2003 Newsletter
Waddington Catalogue • Poets at the Card Table • Hindooy • White Witchcraft • New Transformation Car...
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.
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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
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