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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.
Budapest souvenir
Colour views of the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on all the courts and Aces.
3-D Dino Cards
Lenticular images of different, unnamed dinosaurs on all-plastic cards.
Mercedes-Benz Skat
Classy-looking designs by Monika Dostler for a manufacturer of posh cars.
Belgian Souvenir playing cards
made in Germany by C.L. Wüst
Wüst Lenormand deck, c.1860
Wüst Lenormand deck, c.1860
Dondorf Patience playing cards No.26
Patience playing cards with children in historical costumes
Orange: Great Value, Free Rewards
“Orange: Great Value, Free Rewards” promotional playing cards published by Orange UK.
Adventure Fours
Adventure Fours playing cards with differently coloured suit symbols, USA 1977
Twin Peaks coffee
‘Twin Peaks coffee’ playing cards produced by Cultzilla, United Kingdom, 2018.
22: Belgian Makers: Van Genechten
Van Genechten started making playing cards in c.1840 and continued until the founding of Carta Mundi...
60: Some less common Goodall packs, 1875-95
There are some interesting packs from Goodall in the last quarter of the 19th century.
7: Brands and Packs
The introduction of brands commenced during the late 19th century as a development of the old qualit...
The Origin of Patience Games in English
Jessel’s Bibliography of works in English on Playing Cards and Gaming describes “The first book on P...
Cribbage Board Collection
A collection of antique and vintage Cribbage Boards by Tony Hall
Poker Patience
Poker Patience, according to an early 20th century author, was "introduced so recently as the autumn...
H. F. Müller
Transformation playing cards by H. F. Müller, Vienna, 1809
No.6 Austrian
This early Gerich work is an adaptation of the English pattern with continental stylisation. The dou...
Mittelalter No.150
These designs imitating late medieval costumes were published by B. Dondorf in Germany in various ed...
The Key to the Kingdom
“The Key to the Kingdom”, an enchanted deck of illuminated playing cards designed by Tony Meeuwissen...
Michelin Tyres
Michelin Tyres playing cards by Waddingtons, c.1970.
Alchimistenspiel
Alchimistenspiel - Jeu des Alchimistes designed by Elfriede Weidenhaus, 1967.
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?
Master of the Playing Cards
Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455
Carel de Wagenaer
Facsimile edition of cards first published by Carel de Wagenaer, Amsterdam in c.1698
David Hurter, Schaffhausen
David Hurter built up a playing card business in Schaffhausen during the 18th century.
Gambling and Vice in the Middle Ages
Gambling and Vice in the Hours of Charles V: card-playing in the local tavern
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.
Cine Manual + Periquito
“Cine Manual” by Antonio Vercher Coll (1900-1934) and published by Reclamos Cimadevilla, Valencia, c...
Erlenmeyer City Sights
Erlenmeyer City Sights hand-illustrated playing cards by Stephanie Gray, 2015.
Mordillo Skat
Mordillo Skat designed by Guillermo Mordillo, c.1979
Roaring Twenties
Roaring Twenties playing cards by Angel Playing Cards Co Ltd, Japan. 1980.
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►
Kinney Transparent Cards
Kinney Bros Transparent playing cards with hidden images and fortunes, c.1890.
Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.
Bourgeois Tarot by Piatnik 1987
Piatnik’s ‘Bourgeois Tarot’ in a version published in 1987 with nice quality images, especially the ...
Lenormand Wahrsage-Karten No. 55
Conventional Lenormand designs on a pack from Piatnik but with unconventional numbering.
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.
C.W. Faulkner
C. W. Faulkner & Co Ltd, London, an important publisher of games, pictorial souvenirs, children’s bo...
EPCS February 2003 Newsletter
Waddington Catalogue • Poets at the Card Table • Hindooy • White Witchcraft • New Transformation Car...
Majas Alfabets Spel
Majas Alfabets Spel beautifully illustrated by Lena Andersson, 1980s.
Fairy Tales
the Game of Fairy Tales published by Multum in Parvo Co,, from 1896
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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