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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.
The Great Indoors
“The Great Indoors” playing cards published by DesignWorks Ink, Nashville, USA, 2021.
Postgeschichte
A celebration of different postal systems in Germany from 1630 to 1850, with designs by Volker Hartm...
Deutsche Dampflokomotiven
German steam locomotives from the period 1892 to 1950.
Llombart pattern playing cards from Germany
made in Leipzig in the early 19th. century
Art Deco playing cards
by Flemming-Wiskott A.G.of Glogau, Germany.
Playing cards for the Bombay Market
An interesting pack of playing cards with illustrated Indian aces made "Specially for the Bombay Mar...
Preposterous playing cards
Preposterous playing cards by Simon Drew published by British Heritage Ltd, Herts.
Axminster 100 playing cards
Special non-standard pack produced for Axminster Carpets Ltd.
Art Genius playing cards
Art Genius playing cards with illustrations by Rebecca Clarke and published by Laurence King Publish...
Hoyle v Foster: whose name should we remember?
Hoyle’s name is associated with the rules by which many games are played, particularly card games B...
The Evolution of Whist and Bridge Boxed Sets, 1870s – 1930s
Boxed sets of cards, markers, scorers and rule booklets have been around for many decades. Some of t...
The making of a Bridge or Bézique marker
This post-mortem was carried out on a Bezique marker which was already falling apart.
Dondorf Tarot
Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“ was first published in c.1870. The scenes portrayed at each end of ...
Birma Karte or Englische Karten
Based upon older ‘standard’ patterns, the Kings and Queens are three-quarter length figures whilst t...
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...
Kargo
Kargo golf card game manufactured by Castell Brothers Ltd for Pepys Games, c.1936.
Snow White 2nd edition
Snow White 2nd edition published by Pepys Games, 1951.
Loewe
Deck designed by J. L. Picardo for Loewe, 1959.
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?
Dubois
Dubois card makers from Liège in the Walloon Region of Belgium.
De la Rue’s 125th anniversary
In around 1955 De la Rue introduced a new coloured joker and a series of aces of spades with a silho...
The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440
The Princely Hunting Pack, c.1440/45, is attributed to Konrad Witz and his workshop in Basle.
Heraldic playing cards
Reproduction of Richard Blome’s Heraldic playing cards, 1684, presented to lady guests at WCMPC Summ...
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.
De la Rue for export
Non-standard playing cards produced by De la Rue & Co. (London), c.1930s
Pinocchio
Pinocchio fairy tale playing cards illustrated by Iassen Ghiuselev for Lo Scarabeo, 2003.
Vanity Fair 1868-1914
Vanity Fair 1868-1914 playing cards published by Billy Bembo, United Kingdom, 1995.
Jeu Grotesque
Jeu Grotesque was first published in France c.1800.
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►
French Cartomancy cards, c.1830
French Cartomancy cards published by J. Gaudais; printed by Mansion, Paris, c.1830.
Le carte della Fortuna
Modern Italian fortune-telling pack from 1975, with designs by Sergio Ruffolo.
Bourgeois Tarot
Bourgeois Tarot by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken.
Housewives Tarot
Retro-style ‘Housewives Tarot’ designed by Paul Kepple & Jude Buffum, published by Quirk Books, 2004...
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.
Fairy Snap
Fairy Snap by Norvic Mill, c.1920s.
Fairy Tales
the Game of Fairy Tales published by Multum in Parvo Co,, from 1896
Happy Families
Happy Families designed by A.E. Kennedy, 1930s.
Jacqueline Wilson Playing Cards
“Jacqueline Wilson” playing cards were illustrated by Nick Sharratt and published by Winning Moves U...
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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