
New Articles

Prague Heraldic Poker Cards
Heraldic souvenir playing cards infused with Czech national and historical symbolism.
Konrad Hämmerle • 2 days ago
OH Cards
A Series of Metaphoric Cards to unlock your story, conceived and designed by Ely Raman
Simon Wintle • 6 days ago
Waddington’s faux books
Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.
Tony Hall • Jun 11, 2025
Patience by Joseph Glanz
A refined and distinctly European Patience pack by Joseph Glanz from Austria.
Marek Brejcha • Jun 10, 2025
Aónikenk playing cards
Ethnographic playing cards made by members of the Aónikenk culture from Patagonia.
Simon Wintle • Jun 4, 2025
Queen of Hearts card game
Alice in Wonderland card game featuring Disney characters on king-size cards.
Roddy Somerville • May 31, 2025
Kvitlech cards
An Attempt to Revive a Central European Historical Game.
Marek Brejcha • May 30, 2025
Double Dummy Bridge
In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.
Tony Hall • May 29, 2025
Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.
Roddy Somerville • May 25, 2025
VEB Kombinat Kali
Advertising pack depicting old means of salt production, with designs by Hannelore Heise.
Roddy Somerville • May 25, 2025
National Gallery of Art
Fifty-three masterpieces from the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Roddy Somerville • May 24, 2025Current Trends
Playing cards used to help troops identify the most-wanted members of Saddam Hussein's government. 2003.
In standard English packs the Ace of Spades is associated with decorative designs. This is a historical survey of why this should be.
Canasta is a card game of the Rummy family which originated in Uruguay probably about 1947.
With the advancement of the Internet, it is now possible to play baccarat in online casinos.
“Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed in Germany by B. Dondorf, 1920s.
In 1851 the games manufacturer John Jaques of London (founded in 1795) commissioned a set of drawings from John Tenniel, later Sir John, the chief cartoonist of Punch, for their new game of Happy Fami...
Playing cards are used for fortune-telling, predicting the future or even as a psychological adjunct to folk medicine and therapy. Turning another card illumines the moment and new clarity emerges.
The court cards in English packs of playing cards derive from models produced by Pierre Marechal in Rouen around 1565. A pack of such cards is preserved in the museum at Rouen.
De La Rue introduced letter-press printing into playing card production and his patent was granted in 1831. He produced his first playing cards in 1832.
Out of an apparent void, a constellation of references in early literature emerge pointing to the sudden arrival of playing cards, principally in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy around 1370-1380. Di...
Explore
4,607 articles featuring content from 119 countries, 1,366 manufacturers and 1,145 designers; including 388 themes, 266 brands, 77 suits, 54 games and 31 licenses.



Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle
By Adam Wintle

Copechat Paramount Sorting System
By Jon Randall

Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893
By Jon Randall

AKA M5 Motorway
By Jon Randall


Jeu Révolutionnaire
By Simon Wintle

Zürcher Festspiel 1903
By Roddy Somerville

Knavery of the Rump, 1679
By Simon Wintle

Trump Presidential playing cards
By Peter Burnett

In the strict sense of the word ‘Transformation’ the pips should be in their standard positions and form part of, or fit into, the overll image portrayed on the card. more ►

Introduction to Collecting Themes
By Paul Bostock

Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle

Master of the Banderoles
By Simon Wintle

Vanity Fair
By Simon Wintle


The History of Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle

Canasta
By Simon Wintle

Early History of Playing Cards & Timeline
By Simon Wintle

Italian Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle

As the ‘culture of the people’, contemporary popular culture is a product of economically more developed countries and arises from a combination of advances in technology and increased leisure time. Popular culture is also informed by the mass media. Iconic brands aim to be sold to large numbers of people as a commodity. Certain currents of pop culture may originate from or diverge into a subculture. Many new cardistry and Kickstarter decks fall into this category.

Dungeons and Dragons Tarot
By Adam Wintle

Cyberpunk 2077 Tarot Cards
By Adam Wintle

Tarot of the Unknown
By Adam Wintle

X-Men Playing Cards
By Adam Wintle
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 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!"

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.
References
- The Playing Card, Delef Hoffmann, 1972
- Collecting Playing Cards, Sylvia Mann, 1966
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