The World of Playing Cards Logo

Latest Articles

Archives

2024 100 Articles


March 2024 31 Articles

Frauejass 1998

Frauejass

‘Frauejass / le Jass au féminin’ designed by Susan Csomor, Switzerland, c. 1998.

Not the Iraqi Most Wanted playing cards 2004

Not the Iraqi Most Wanted playing cards

Fifty-five Irish heroes and villains, some ancient but mostly modern.

Commoners playing cards 2020

Commoners playing cards

Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.

Feh Schnapskarten 1972

Feh Schnapskarten

Colourful promotional pack for Feh household and toilet papers.

Liber Ludorum 2019

Liber Ludorum

Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.

Hansaplast<sup>®</sup> 1993

Hansaplast®

Advertising pack for Hansaplast, with comic courts sporting sticking plasters.

Pike and Clover playing cards 2018

Pike and Clover playing cards

Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.

Lorilleux International 1988

Lorilleux International

Promotional pack for Lorilleux International’s Lotus inks, with designs by James Hodges.

Les Tontons du Rock 2021

Les Tontons du Rock

Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.

Inglewood Hunting Deck 2023

Inglewood Hunting Deck

Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.

B. Braun-Dexon<sup>®</sup> 1986

B. Braun-Dexon®

Publicity pack promoting B. Braun-Dexon’s atraumatic needles, with non-standard courts and pips.

Bibaraja 1977

Bibaraja

Amusing designs of boys as circus performers by Alberto Muñiz Sánchez.

Zodiaque 1980

Zodiaque

“Les Signes du Zodiaque” playing cards designed by Youdi des Aubrys.

Peintres Latino Americains 1986

Peintres Latino Americains

Original artwork by 18 different Latin American artists.

British Monarchs 1981

British Monarchs

Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th July 1981.

54 Affiches Retro 1991

54 Affiches Retro

54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.

Il Vostro Destino 1989

Il Vostro Destino

Italian fortune-telling pack produced by Viassone and later by Masenghini.

Jeu de la Belle Epoque 1980

Jeu de la Belle Epoque

Jeu de la Belle Epoque, remembering a golden age of optimism, progress and elegance.

Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack 2013

Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack, 2013.

Paco Lobo 1985

Paco Lobo

Highly original and striking designs by Paco Lobo for the fashion house of the same name.

Correspondances 1985

Correspondances

‘Correspondances’ depicting the 52 transfer stations of the Paris Métropolitain, France, 1985.

Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII 1970

Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII

Luxury pack for the Spanish fashion house Loewe, with 17th century costume designs by Margot Hamilton Hill.

Jeu Gothique 1987

Jeu Gothique

‘Jeu Gothique’ illustrating the Gothic period in France, published by Editions Dusserre.

Burgundy pattern 1745

Burgundy pattern

The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.

Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco 1988

Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco

Publicity pack for the Spanish newspaper Ya with caricatures of famous bullfighters by Fernando Vinyes.

Baraja de Alava 1994

Baraja de Alava

55 different paintings by Emilio Lope depicting the history and culture of Vitoria and the province of Álava.

Jeu Bonaparte 1978

Jeu Bonaparte

Jeu Bonaparte depicting the extended family of Napoleon Bonaparte, France, 1978

Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française 1989

Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française

Pack created by Yannick Pennanguer commemorating the bicentenary of the French Revolution and the centenary of L’Est Républicain.

Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens 1988

Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens

Reproduction of Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens relating to the Phrygian cap (or liberty cap), France, 1988.

Sweden playing cards 2000

Sweden playing cards

Named characters from Swedish history.

San Paolo Shakespeare 1978

San Paolo Shakespeare

San Paolo Shakespeare, Italy, 1978


February 2024 49 Articles

Romania playing cards 2000

Romania playing cards

Romanian voivodes and their wives from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Dutch Court playing cards 1999

Dutch Court playing cards

Games & Print Services’ version of the Dutch pattern.

Le jeu des 7 Familles ’Utuafare

Le jeu des 7 Familles ’Utuafare

Colourful Happy Families game from Tahiti depicting costumes from different archipelagoes.

Le Carte di Forattini 1993

Le Carte di Forattini

Political caricatures by Giorgio Forattini published by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Italy, 1993.

San Paolo Chekhov 1983

San Paolo Chekhov

Characters from Chekhov’s plays designed by Paolo Fresu for San Paolo Istituto Bancario, Italy, c.1983.

The Search for New Games in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century

The Search for New Games in the late 19th century

A few new games survived and are still around today; most came and went and are only witnessed in the literature by the equivalent of a vapour trail.

Norfin® Trolls 1992

Norfin® Trolls

Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.

Impressionist Art Cards 2002

Impressionist Art Cards

Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.

Jeu de la V<sup>me</sup> 1977

Jeu de la Vme

A political pack designed by Pino Zac and published in 1977 by Editions Arts et Lettres.

Postak – Las Postas 1996

Postak – Las Postas

‘Postak - Las Postas’ playing cards commemorating the history of the Basque postal service, Spain, 1996.

ČZ playing cards 1965

ČZ playing cards

Advertising pack for the Czechoslovak motorcycle factory Česká Zbrojovka.

Bourbon Bridge 1975

Bourbon Bridge

Attractive, woodcut-style courts adapted for modern play.

Storia del Fascismo - gioco di carte

Storia del Fascismo - gioco di carte

‘Storia del Fascismo’ playing cards depicting persons, symbols and artifacts associated with Italian fascism.

Miniature Card Dominoes 1904

Miniature Card Dominoes

A miniature set of Goodall domino cards (5.9 x 3.5 cms) still in perfect condition.

Bischofszell 1987

Bischofszell

Advertising pack for the food producer Bischofszell, designed by Heinz Looser-Brenner, with non-standard suits.

T. Drayton & Son 1875

T. Drayton & Son

Bezique and Whist boxed sets by T. Drayton & Son, London, c.1875.

Jeu des Médecins 1983

Jeu des Médecins

Cartoons of doctors and nurses by Pino Zac, published by B.P. Grimaud in 1983.

Scheffmacher 1975

Scheffmacher

Advertising pack for Scheffmacher, master painters in Schaffhausen, with comic designs by Fritz Bünzli.

Colour doodle deck 2011

Colour doodle deck

“1952-2002 commemorative deck” customised with doodles by an uncredited artist, UK, 2011.

Jeu Boléro 1962

Jeu Boléro

Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.

Le Giscarte 1976

Le Giscarte

Le Giscarte political playing cards designed by Eddy Munerol, France, 1976.

The Lovers playing cards 2003

The Lovers playing cards

Reproductions of old postcards with romantic messages for Valentine’s Day.

Freimaurer Spielkarten / Masonic playing cards 2004

Freimaurer Spielkarten / Masonic playing cards

Masonic playing cards created by Ivan Wojnikow, 2004.

I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod 1985

I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod

Etchings of cats on a set of major arcana created by Evelyne Nicod.

Safety playing cards 2003

Safety playing cards

Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.

Knoll International 1968

Knoll International

Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.

Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016 2016

Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016

Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green for the 2016 presidential election.

Carte Osteologiche 1978

Carte Osteologiche

Skulls and bones of all descriptions have become the suits and pips in this 40-card pack from Italy.

Marcello Morandini 1973

Marcello Morandini

Modern designs by Italian artist Marcello Morandini using the simplest of forms and colours.

Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes 1960

Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes

Standard French cards but printed with fluorescent inks on a black background.

K Deck 2004

K Deck

“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.

The Deck of Hillary 2003

The Deck of Hillary

‘The Deck of Hillary’ with quotes and photographs of Hillary Clinton, USA, 2003.

Tuxedo playing cards 2016

Tuxedo playing cards

Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.

Tarot de Madrid 1984

Tarot de Madrid

Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arcana.

SEMP playing cards 1980

SEMP playing cards

Modified Anglo-American courts advertising a French medical publishing company.

Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского 1978

Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского

A pack of cards depicting characters from the famous play "The Wedding of Krechinsky" by Sukhovo-Kobylina. Колода содержит изображения персонажей известной пьесы Сухово-Кобылина "Свадьба Кречинского"

Calon Arang • Калон Аранг - Бали

Calon Arang • Калон Аранг - Бали

Calon Arang, a figure from 12th-century Javanese and Balinese folklore known as a witch skilled in black magic, is the subject of a preserved manuscript at the Royal Netherlands Institute. Калон Аранг • персонаж яванского и балийского фольклора, датируемого 12 веком. Традиция называет ее ведьмой, мастером черной магии. Неизвестно, кто сочинил эту историю, но рукопись текста Калон Аранга (написанная латинским алфавитом) хранится в Королевском нидерландском институте исследований Юго-Восточной Азии и Карибского бассейна.

Shakespeare playing cards: Insults 2005

Shakespeare playing cards: Insults

Shakespeare Insults playing cards with portraits by Jan Padover, USA, 2005.

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes 2004

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes, the first volume of a double set published by Prospero Art of San Francisco, 2004.

Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here 2020

Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here

Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.

Jeu Quatre Empereurs 1883

Jeu Quatre Empereurs

Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other dignitaries on the court cards.

Portrait de Fribourg 2002

Portrait de Fribourg

Fine reproduction of a Fribourg pattern pack, originally by Jean-Jacques Burdel.

Claude Weisbuch 1997

Claude Weisbuch

Free reinterpretation of the traditional Paris pattern courts by the artist Claude Weisbuch.

Old Testament playing cards 2012

Old Testament playing cards

Old Testament playing cards with illustrations by Jan Padover, USA, 2012.

Politicards 2008 2008

Politicards 2008

Politicards ’08 with caricatures cast as characters from classic movies, USA.

Orientierungslauf Skat 1989

Orientierungslauf Skat

Humorous designs by Helmut Härtelt on the subject of orienteering.

Borna Skat 1990

Borna Skat

Publicity pack for the Saxon town of Borna, with designs by Andreas Wachter.

Starz behind bars 2003

Starz behind bars

Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.

House of Cards: Deck of Bush 2003

House of Cards: Deck of Bush

House of Cards: Deck of Bush playing cards presenting reasons not to re-elect President Bush for a second term, USA, 2003.


January 2024 20 Articles

Postgeschichte 1987

Postgeschichte

A celebration of different postal systems in Germany from 1630 to 1850, with designs by Volker Hartmann.

Kings and Queens of Brazil & Portugal 1870

Kings and Queens of Brazil & Portugal

Historical playing cards by C. L. Wüst depicting monarchs of Brazil and Portugal.

EPOC playing cards 2005

EPOC playing cards

Modern designs by Brazilian artist Maria Leonor Décourt inspired by standard English pattern courts.

Hitchcock 2021

Hitchcock

A deck of 55 cards celebrating the master of mystery, murder and mayhem, Alfred Hitchcock.

Pin-Ups 2010

Pin-Ups

A deck of 55 cards celebrating a golden age of cheeky, naughty, bold and curvy ladies in film.

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort whiskey playing cards, USA.

Holy Trinity Church playing cards 2011

Holy Trinity Church playing cards

Holy Trinity Church commemoration playing cards, USA, 2011.

Campari playing cards 2017

Campari playing cards

Publicity pack for Campari, designed for the Portuguese or Brazilian market.

Classic Movie Posters 2008

Classic Movie Posters

A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.

That’s Entertainment 2014

That’s Entertainment

A deck of 55 cards celebrating 20th Century vaudeville, musicals and cabaret.

Batman® playing cards 1992

Batman® playing cards

Characters from Batman: The Animated Series on a pack issued in 1992.

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites 2008

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites, USA, 2008

FDR New Deal Deck 2010

FDR New Deal Deck

Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.

Sylvanian Families mini playing cards 1987

Sylvanian Families mini playing cards

Miniature cards in sheet form with Sylvanian Families characters on the courts and Jokers.

Rock & Pop Legends 2005

Rock & Pop Legends

Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine 2004

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine

A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of the same name.

Politically Wild John McCain 2008

Politically Wild John McCain

“Politically Wild John McCain” published by Newt’s Playing Cards, USA, 2008.

Hôtels-Grils Campanile 1985

Hôtels-Grils Campanile

Publicity pack for the Campanile hotel and restaurant chain featuring French provincial costumes, with designs by James Hodges.

Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan 1982

Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan

This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most beloved films in the Star Trek saga.

Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger 1825

Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger

Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.