Playing cards have been with us since the 14th century, when they first entered popular culture. 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.
Latest Articles
Cow & Gate ‘Snap’
• August 12, 2020 at 08:53amCow & Gate ‘Snap’ featuring Cow & Gate Baby Milk Food, 1935. Read more →
Schwarzer Peter Der Wald und seine Leute
• August 11, 2020 at 08:31pmSchwarzer Peter the Forest and its People, illustrated by Liesel Lauterborn, 1955. Read more →
Wie Wird das Wetter
• August 10, 2020 at 02:12pmWie Wird das Wetter, a Black Peter game about the weather created by Gunter Eckhardt, published by Rudolf Forkel,1952. Read more →
Märchenquartett
• August 10, 2020 at 10:02amFairy Tales quartet designed by Annemarie Gramberg, published by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken AG, 1955. Read more →
Naval and Military Families
• July 30, 2020 at 08:00pmNaval and Military Families produced by Prince and Princess Louis of Battenberg, printed by Ernst Nister of Nuremberg, c.1905-10. Read more →
Ups & Downs
• July 27, 2020 at 09:28amUps and Downs humorous card game published in UK by A. N. Myers, c.1885. Read more →
Avilude or Game of Birds
• July 26, 2020 at 10:37amAvilude or Game of Birds published by West & Lee, Worcester, Mass, c.1880. Read more →
Round the World Families
• July 20, 2020 at 09:23amRound the World Families published by the London Missionary Society, c.1945. Read more →
Blue Brand Snap Up
• July 17, 2020 at 12:49pmBlue Brand Snap Up published by Van den Berghs probably late 1920s. Read more →
Mr Bok
• July 15, 2020 at 12:15pmThe Merry Game of Mr Bok and his Happy Families, promoting Bok furniture polish, 1930s. 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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