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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. All over the world, whatever language is spoken, their significance is universal. Their popularity is also due to the imaginative artwork and graphic design which is sometimes overlooked, and the “then & now” of how things have changed.

The World of Playing Cards Logo The World of Playing Cards
  1. Published February 04, 2014
  2. Updated March 20, 2022

Fair Play

Fair Play budget brand by Piatnik first appeared c.1950 before disappearing in c.1990.

Austria United Kingdom Piatnik Fair Play Benno

Fair Play was a budget-brand produced anonymously by Austrian firm Piatnik during the second half of the 20th century, first appearing around 1950 before disappearing about 1990. See the Box►

Fair Play budget brand by Piatnik first appeared c.1950 before disappearing c.1990 Fair Play budget brand by Piatnik first appeared c.1950 before disappearing c.1990

The cards were produced on noticeably lower quality “Plastic Treated” card stock. Also noticeable is the white (uncoloured) flesh of the court cards and jokers, the anonymous simple design of the ace of spades and the absence of any production codes on the ace of hearts, all of which differentiate the brand from the more usual Piatnik designs. Packs have been found sold singly, and also paired as a bridge set in a faux-leather case distributed by Benno Products.

Fair Play budget brand by Piatnik first appeared c.1950 before disappearing c.1990

Images courtesy Matt Probert.

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By Matt Probert

Member since March 02, 2012

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I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.

Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.

Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.

I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.

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