Icelandic Chess playing cards

Published July 03, 1996 Updated April 26, 2022

Innovative "Icelandic Chess" pack, designed by Tryggvi Magnússon and manufactured by Alf Cooke Ltd (Universal Playing Card Co., Leeds) in 1942.

1942 IcelandUnited KingdomChessTryggvi MagnússonAlf Cooke / Universal

Icelandic Chess playing cards by Alf Cooke, 1942

Icelandic Chess playing cards by Alf Cooke

Above: Innovative "Icelandic Chess" pack, designed by Tryggvi Magnússon and manufactured by Alf Cooke Ltd (Universal Playing Card Co., Leeds) in 1942. There is a companion pack with the same back printed in blue, but with different courts having a sloping dividing bar. Standard A, K, Q and J indices…


Napoleonic Chess set
avatar
1,487 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

Related Articles

Conjuring Decks

Conjuring Decks

Conjuring Decks by Universal Playing Card Co (Alf Cooke) and others...

Zodiac Club

Zodiac Club

‘Zodiac Club Playing Cards’ for Pepys, c.1965-75.

British Playing Cards

British Playing Cards

British Playing Cards Ltd was the predecessor of Universal P.C.Co. and involved Alf Cooke of Leeds a...

1930 Brighter Families

Brighter Families

“Brighter Families” promotional card game for Cosmos Lamps (Metrovick), 1930

1930 Islenzk Spil

Islenzk Spil

This historical Icelandic deck was first published in c.1930 and shows the native Icelandic Vikings ...

1930 Crown Point Series

Crown Point Series

The Universal Playing Card Co., Crown Point Series,

1950 Pictorial

Pictorial

Pictorial Playing Cards - De Luxe - Fabric Finish - manufactured by Alf Cooke Limited (Universal Pla...

1940 New Bond

New Bond

The New Bond Fabric Finish Playing Cards, made by the Universal Playing Card Co. Ltd.

Jaques Advertising Leaflet

Jaques Advertising Leaflet

Jaques Advertising Leaflet showing Lawn tennis, Table Billiards, Staunton Chess, Croquet, etc.

1925 Alf Cooke’s Playing Cards

Alf Cooke’s Playing Cards

Alf Cooke was an important producer of playing cards and card games in the UK during the period 1920...

Games & Print Services

Games & Print Services

Games & Print Services Limited, of Canvey Island, now part of Cartamundi.

1800 Hunt, c.1800

Hunt, c.1800

Standard English pattern playing cards manufactured by Hunt, c.1800.

Playing cards in Wales - Welsh playing cards

Playing cards in Wales - Welsh playing cards

Whereas the distinctiveness of Wales is an important resource contributing to the rich texture of va...

J & W Mitchell, Birmingham

J & W Mitchell, Birmingham

This rare Victorian manufacturer made standard English playing cards for a short period during the l...

1875 James English & Co.

James English & Co.

Victorian Playing Cards manufactured by James English & Co., London, c.1875

History of English Playing Cards & Games

History of English Playing Cards & Games

The History of English Playing Cards dates probably from the mid 15th century

1930 L. G. Sloan, Ltd

L. G. Sloan, Ltd

'Thames Side' Playing Cards manufactured by The Universal Playing Card Co., Ltd for L. G. Sloan, Ltd...

1930 Romanian playing cards by Alf Cooke

Romanian playing cards by Alf Cooke

Romanian playing cards, manufactured and exported by the Universal Playing Card Co., Leeds, in the 1...

1936 Danbrit

Danbrit

Danbrit playing cards by Alf Cooke, 1930s

1935 Thomson-Leng Tarot

Thomson-Leng Tarot

The Thomson-Leng Tarot Cards were issued by the publishers of women's magazines during the 1930s. Th...