Playing cards have been with us since the 14th century, when they first became a part of popular culture, perhaps seen as a miniature model of the universe. Over the centuries packs of cards, in all shapes and sizes, have been used for games, gambling, education, conjuring, advertising, fortune telling, political messages or the portrayal of national or ethnic identity. Their popularity is undoubtedy due to the imaginative artwork and graphic design which is sometimes overlooked, and the “then & now” of how things have changed.
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New Zealand Souvenir
• March 19, 2019 at 12:29pmSouvenir from New Zealand by Croxley (John Dickinson) c.1950. Read more →
The Four Worlds
• March 12, 2019 at 11:50amThe Four Worlds playing cards by artist Aleksey Zhiryakov in the stylistic traditions of Palekh, 2018. Read more →
Billabong playing cards
• March 10, 2019 at 12:34pmBillabong Dual Deck by Hudson Industries, 1950s. Read more →
Chinese Jokers Blog Post
• March 03, 2019 at 12:02pmChinese playing card makers have probably produced the widest variety of jokers of any single part of the world. Read more →
Gunfighters
• February 20, 2019 at 09:29amGunfighters playing cards from the Wild West Series by SPCC, 2018. Read more →
Timothy Curtis Art Blog Post
• February 12, 2019 at 07:31amTimothy Curtis Art custom Bicycle playing cards, 2018. Read more →
Atouts de la Vie
• February 08, 2019 at 11:20am“Atouts de la Vie” wartime card game created by Madame Lucien Willemetz, c.1940. Read more →
Prisoners of War
• February 06, 2019 at 10:03amHand-made playing cards by French prisoners of war in Porchester Castle, Hampshire, c.1796. Read more →
Pantheon or Heathen Mythology
• December 31, 2018 at 10:01amPantheon or Heathen Mythology cards for instruction of youth, c.1770. Read more →
Transformation Cards for Christmas
• December 19, 2018 at 11:47amHand-drawn Transformation cards, c.1870. Read more →
Editor’s Picks
Playing cards have enormous educational value, with a long history and many diverse types and graphical styles from around the world... View More →
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