Collecting Playing Cards with Jan Walls
I collected playing cards when I was in primary school, by Jan Walls.
I collected playing cards when I was in primary school. I remember when I got my pocket money every Friday I would run to G J Coles store in Ashburton and buy cards for my collection. Then, what happens with a lot of young girls, my focus on life changed, and my interest in playing card collecting waned for many years, through my teens, early work life, marriage and children.
In the early 1980s with my family growing up and developing their own interests, I began to feel the need to develop an activity that I could immerse myself in. One day when cleaning out one of my cupboards I came across a small shoe box with my childhood cards from primary school, and that box has now turned into a room full, well, several rooms.
I enjoy sharing my collection and knowledge with all collectors. With Peg Black and Barb Lunaburg in the USA I help compile catalogues via email for the use of playing card collectors. Each catalogue takes one year or thereabouts to complete.
My singles playing card collection consists of many categories from Antique Square corners to Disney, Railroad, Shipping, Jokers, Worshipfuls and many more.
Antique Square Cornered Singles
Disney
The kid in me still likes Disney cards.
Jokers
Australian Collection
The pride of my collection is my Australian collection - it is the history of Australian produced cards. I collect them by manufacturers, most of which no longer exist.
Hudson Industries
Sands & McDougall
Spicers
Reeds
Porcelain & China
I also like collect china with themes relating to playing cards and porcelain playing card boxes that have a double deck to match the design on the boxes.
I am forever working on my collection and searching ebay for new cards for my collection and looking on the internet to help me identify the manufacturer, history, age, artist, etc. as I like to learn more about the cards I collect.
I love all cards.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Spielkarten für Sammler
Cards on cards in celebration of playing-card collector Franz Braun’s 75th birthday.
Pack of Thieves?
“Pack of Thieves? 52 Port Arthur Lives” playing cards documenting life in an Australian penal settle...
Unique Australian Animals
‘Unique Australian Animals’ educational playing cards designed by Lawton Ho, Australia, 2004.
Collectors pack of Antiques
Collectors pack of Antiques playing cards published by Collectors Cards, Abertillery, South Wales, c...
Cyberpunk Playing Cards by Elephant
Cyberpunk playing cards, combining themes of lowlife and high tech. Created by Ben Jones, produced b...
Wimmera Playing Cards
Different scenes from the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia, drawn by Colin Daniels.
Rare Stamps of the World
Fifty-five rare stamps of the world in full colour, published jointly by David Feldman SA of Switzer...
Luxury Collectable Playing Cards
Luxury packs of cards have been produced since the 15th century, a trend that is very popular among ...
Transformation Cards for Christmas
Hand-drawn Transformation cards, c.1870.
A. Camoin & Cie
This deck was inherited from ancestors, it has has a family history surrounding it. Details of the l...
Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards
Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards by Sunish Chabba, 2020.
Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
We are deeply saddened by news of the passing of Anthony Rex Pitts (1940-2021).
Why do we Collect? My 20 Favourite Items
I suppose people collect for different reasons, rarity, quality, ingenuity of design, sentimental va...
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia and is the world's third-oldest airline stil...
A Case Study
Case Study: using detective work to identify and date a pack discovered in charity shop.
Patience Cards and their Boxes
Patience Cards and their Boxes by Tony Hall.
Collecting Playing Cards with Jan Walls
I collected playing cards when I was in primary school, by Jan Walls.
69: My Collection
This is an archive list of my collection. I hope it will be of use and interest to others.
Is Card Collecting an Investment?
“Is Card Collecting an Investment?” - an article by Rod Starling.
On The Cards
A Motley Pack - transformation playing cards & ‘On The Cards’ book facsimile published by Sunish Cha...
Billabong playing cards
Billabong Dual Deck by Hudson Industries, 1950s.
Chinese Jokers
Chinese playing card makers have probably produced the widest variety of jokers of any single part o...
A Look Back with Hope for the Future
“A Look Back with Hope for the Future” by Rod Starling
Kalevala
Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.
Adelaide Casino
Adelaide Casino by Spicers Paper Ltd, 1987.
Erlenmeyer City Sights
Erlenmeyer City Sights hand-illustrated playing cards by Stephanie Gray, 2015.
Vizaĝo playing cards
Vizaĝo playing cards created by Annette Abolins, 2017.
Detmold Advertising Backs
Advertising backs by William Detmold Ltd (Australia) c.1910-1920s.
56: Number cards and Chinese Crackers
A brief look at the number cards used in standard English packs.
Nine Lives Playing Cards
Nine Lives Playing Cards designed by Annette Abolins, 2016
Nine Lives Tarot
Nine Lives Tarot by Annette Abolins represents the artist’s creative and spiritual perspective on li...
Australia by Steve Parish
Australia souvenir deck with photography by Steve Parish
51: Some modern variation
A brief survey of some of the current variation in the standard English pattern.
49: De La Rue in detail
A detailed presentation of the variants of De La Rue's standard cards.
A Motley Pack
A book titled “On The Cards” or “A Motley Pack” by Garnet Walch (1843-1913) was published in Melbour...
Interview with Tom and Judy Dawson from 52 Plus Joker
Interview with Tom and Judy Dawson from 52 Plus Joker. Chatting about the history of playing cards, ...
Cribbage Board Collection
A collection of antique and vintage Cribbage Boards by Tony Hall
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Playing Cards feature amazing images from all over the globe.
Flinders playing cards
Flinders playing cards manufactured by Hudson Industries Pty Ltd (Australia).