Since 1996, this collaborative project has grown into an independent archive of 4,900 articles, written by collectors, researchers, artists and historians from around the world, documenting playing cards from early handmade cards to industrial production, and from games of chance and skill to education, advertising, political satire, magic and fortune-telling.
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
Latest Articles
Le jeu de cartes des Croisades
Venture into the Crusades in the style of medieval manuscript art.
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by Lev Golinkin
Modern F.X. Schmid Bavarian Cards
From Plastic to Premium: The legendary F.X. Schmid Tarock & Schafkopf deck, reboxed, refreshed and rebranded.
Latest Activity
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...
Le jeu de cartes des Croisades
Venture into the Crusades in the style of medieval manuscript art.
1 day ago • Lev Golinkin
Marty Jacobs commented on United Kingdom
You're very welcome, Simon. I love WOPC, so I'm happy to hel...
1 day ago
Danny Spiller commented on Bicycle No.808 - page 2
Thrilled to read the informative history on Bicycle cards. D...
2 days ago
Modern F.X. Schmid Bavarian Cards
From Plastic to Premium: The legendary F.X. Schmid Tarock & Schafkopf deck, reboxed, refreshed and rebranded.
2 days ago • Konrad Hämmerle
Mariáš - Black & Red Edition
A modern special edition of Prager pattern cards.
2 days ago • Marek Brejcha
Simon Wintle commented on United Kingdom
Thanks, Marty, for your helpful comment. Much appreciated an...
2 days ago
Marty Jacobs commented on United Kingdom
Thanks for such a detailed article, Simon. Here's a small co...
2 days ago
Birb playing cards
Birds are not merely illustrated on the cards but become the court cards themselves.
2 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Jungle Playing Cards
Welcome to the jungle – a delightful deck from South Africa.
3 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel & Resort
Casino playing cards featuring Native American courts.
4 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Arrowhead Playing Cards from San Felipe’s Casino Hollywood
A gorgeous and well-researched celebration of Native American culture.
5 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Les Grands Navigateurs
Jean Delpech's modernist voyage through the history of Maritime Exploration.
5 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde
A pictorial study by Jean Bruneau inspired by an ancient work rooted in Celtic history.
5 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Meskwaki Casino
A deck reflecting Native American culture where every hand could be a jackpot.
6 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Robin Hood Playing Cards
A Kings Wild Project by Jackson Robinson exploring the legend of Robin Hood and inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.
6 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Pacific Northwest Native American Playing Cards
A bold presentation of animals in Native American artwork – with a political message.
6 days ago • Lev Golinkin
Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1970
Playing Cards Imported into Argentina by Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1970
By Simon Wintle
Silk Inlaid playing cards for Charles I.
Silk Inlaid playing cards said to have been made for Charles I
By Simon Wintle
Bodegas Trapiche
Promotional playing cards produced for Bodegas Trapiche, designed to play Quartet games by collecting a wine bottle card...
By Simon Wintle
Naipes Cristianos
“Naipes Cristianos” catechetical playing cards with quotations from the four gospels, 2002.
By Simon Wintle
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones by The United States Playing Card Co., c.1900.
By Simon Wintle
Explore
4,900 articles featuring content from 120 countries and 384 themes; including 1,416 manufacturers, 1,180 designers, 268 brands, 26 suits, 53 patterns, 61 games and 33 licenses.
United Kingdom
Anno Domini
Anno Domini biblical card game depicting New Testament history, published by John Jaques & Son, c.18...
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Kimberley’s Royal National Patriotic playing cards, c.1902
This edition has standard corner indices replacing the words King, Queen and Jack, and also contains...
By Barney Townshend
Russell Grant tarot
Russell Grant astro-tarot with optimistic and motivational illustrations by Kay Smith.
By Simon Wintle
Children's Card Games
Musikinstrumente
Musikinstrumente quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1984.
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Anno Domini
Anno Domini biblical card game depicting New Testament history, published by John Jaques & Son, c.18...
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Amos del Universo
“Amos del Universo” card game published by Litografía Goicochea Hnos, S.A., Lima, Peru, c.1980.
By Simon Wintle
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones by The United States Playing Card Co., c.1900.
By Simon Wintle
Century of Progress
‘Century of Progress’ Exposition playing cards produced by Western Playing Card Company, USA, 1933. ...
By Peter Burnett
Bicicleta num.810
The United States Playing Card Co. issued Spanish versions of their flagship brand.
By Simon Wintle
Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016
Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green f...
By Peter Burnett
Playing Cards for Consumer Advertising, Marketing & Promotion
Closely following the development of visual advertising in general, such as on labels, packaging, posters and TV commercials, advertising playing cards display promotional messages either on the reverse of the cards, or else on the pip cards, court cards, aces, jokers or even the box, seeking to find ways to associate products with our inner desires and longings, with our identity and who we want to be.
A popular saying illustrating how difficult it is to quantify the response to advertising is attributed to John Wanamaker (1838-1922): "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." Collectors often cherish vintage decks with old-fashioned marketing promotion for shipping lines, luxury brands, distilleries or breweries.
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Bodegas Trapiche
Promotional playing cards produced for Bodegas Trapiche, designed to play Quartet games by collectin...
By Simon Wintle
Capel Vinos
Advertising playing cards for Capel Vinos S.A., manufactured by Naipes Comas, 2001.
By Simon Wintle
G&G Armament playing cards
G&G Armament Airsoft replica gun playing cards from Taiwan.
By Peter Burnett
Le jeu de cartes des Croisades
Venture into the Crusades in the style of medieval manuscript art.
By Lev Golinkin
Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau
17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.
By Simon Wintle
Antoine de Logiriera
Archaic Spanish-suited playing cards published in Toulouse by Antoine de Logiriera (1495-1518).
By Simon Wintle
Dessoris
Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, which anticipate the French Catalan pattern.
By Simon Wintle
Musikinstrumente
Musikinstrumente quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1984.
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik
Promotional pack for a German steel hardening business, with designs by Costante Costantini.
By Roddy Somerville
Deutsches Schützenfest 1884
This deck was apparently made to commemorate a Shooting Festival held in Leipzig in 1884
By Rod Starling (1936-2023)
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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