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.
Jeu de Memoire card game promoting Véritable Chaumes cheese from the village of St Antoines in south west France. Read more →
Two miniature card games promoting Vim Scouring Powder and Sunshine Soap, 1930s. Read more →
Middle Ages by Germano & Cª, (Litografia Maia), Read more →
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen - Quartett game promoting Kali brand crop fertilizer, 1938. Read more →
Märchen-Quartett (Fairy Tales) illustrated by J. P. Werth and published by J. W. Spear & Söhne, c.1915. Read more →
Reproduction of Richard Blome’s Heraldic playing cards, 1684, presented to lady guests at WCMPC Summer Meeting in 1888. Read more →
Facsimile of ‘Wilhelm Tell’ Hungarian deck by Salamon Antal, Keczkemét, 1860. Read more →
Baraja Tonalamatl Mexican Aztec playing cards based on the prehispanic Codex Borgia manuscript. Read more →
Playing cards have enormous educational value, with a long history and many diverse types and graphical styles from around the world... View More →
Playing cards are the foundation of modern casino games. Try one today at TitanPoker.