Kem ‘Spanish’ playing cards
Kem ‘Spanish’ playing cards appear to depict Spanish conquistadors © 1994.
Kem Plastic Playing Cards, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Kem washable plastic playing cards prove to be very durable and even early examples are usually in near perfect condition. Even though they are relatively more expensive than normal decks, their longer lifetime makes them less expensive on a per play basis. Kem playing cards are normally in the Anglo-American pattern (Jumbo index decks are also available) but the ‘Spanish’ version shown here is unusual. Kem was acquired by the United States Playing Card Company in 2004.
Above: Kem Spanish playing cards with ‘Paisley’ back design, 48 cards + 2 Jokers + service card + information leaflet in plastic box, inside cardboard sleeve, 1994. The cards and the box are made from thermo-plastic materials (cellulose acetate) and are very durable. The non-traditional figures, which appear to depict Spanish ‘conquistadors’, have been designed using vector graphics software.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Activity for Kem ‘Spanish’ playing cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Romeo and Juliet
Unbranded ‘Romeo and Juliet’ backs by Russell Playing Card Company, c.1911.
De Land’s Nifty playing cards
De Land’s Nifty playing cards published by S. S. Adams Co, c.1930.
The Lumberjacks
2nd edition of Lumberjacks designed by Vadim Smolenskiy and manufactured by U.S.P.C.C.
Hoyle
A subsidiary of Brown & Bigelow was established in 1927 to bring Hoyle products to the retail market...
Grimm's Forest Playing Cards
A non-standard pack created to play an original board game; inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tal...
Gangster playing cards
A small set of gangster and mafia inspired cards created by Jacob Reynolds.
No.500 Playing Cards
No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910
Brown & Bigelow
Brown & Bigelow of St Paul, Minnesota, was a leading producer of playing cards in the U.S. from the ...
Congress No.606
Congress Playing Cards were first produced by the Russell & Morgan Company in 1881 as the finest and...
Bicycle No.808
The famous Bicycle playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. More...
Jumbo Bridge 88
Cards with jumbo indices were introduced in 1895, and were given the subtitle '88'.
The United States Playing Card Company
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...
Continental Card Co
The Continental Card Company, 220 North Second Street, Philadelphia, started in 1874, manufacturing ...
Strauss & Trier, c.1860
Strauss & Trier, New York, c.1860.
Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850
Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850.
The Joker Card
The 'Joker' is believed to have been invented by American Euchre players who, when modifying the rul...
Pippoglyph
Pippoglyph Playing Cards by Ben Crenshaw © 2004
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards.
4 Seasons Playing Cards
Colours of the Four Seasons - Playing Card Art Deck
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
