The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published March 27, 2004 Updated December 06, 2022

Miniature Playing Cards

Miniature Playing Cards from around the world.

Clifford Heraclio Fournier Hudson Modiano Miniature Toy Cards Patience Add to Collection

Miniature playing cards come in all shapes and sizes from all around the world. Most major manufacturers produce several miniature or patience-sized packs as there is always a demand for these from travellers or patience players. In addition, many minor manufacturers produce one-off miniature packs, sometimes very beautitul but often of low grade. Furthermore, miniature, toy card games are often produced by consumer product manufacturers as sales incentives or free give-aways for children.

Ariel Playing cards, c.1900

Left: these miniature “Ariel” Playing cards were published c.1900. The indices have been inked in, and the box is a slide-in, like a matchbox. Image courtesy Ken Lodge.   (Click image to see more).


Acorn series miniature children's playing cards, c.1950

Above: Acorn series miniature children's playing cards, with 'N' monogram on ace of spades, manufactured anonymously in England, c.1950. The cards are printed in red/yellow/black only and the reverse shows a pixie sitting on a toadstool.

Above: advert from inside 1927 edition of U.S.P.C.C’s ‘Selected Patience Games’ booklet for various sizes of patience and miniature playing cards.

Anonymous miniature playing cards from Mexico, c.2000

Right: anonymous miniature cards from Mexico, c.2000.

Below: uncut cards of miniature Spanish suited playing cards in medieval style, uncoloured and anonymous.


Above: miniature Spanish suited playing cards in medieval style advertising “La Paella” spices and condiments, c.1930-40.

Above: Avión 201 miniature playing cards manufactured in Spain by H. Fournier S.A., c.1950, with a Spanish exportation tax stamp on the four of Clubs and an Argentinian importation tax stamp on the Ace of Hearts.

Above: miniature playing cards inserted into consumer products as a sales incentive and for children to collect, 1930s-1950s.

Above: cards from children's deck of miniature "The Jolly Joker" playing cards, manufactured anonymously, Argentina, c.1940s.

Above: two miniature decks by Hudson (Australia): a) Morley Toy playing cards, b) Junior playing cards, court cards in red/black only, 1940s or 1950s.

Above: miniature 'TOYS' Spanish suited playing cards from Argentina, 1980.

Above: "Mini Trump Card" key ring playing cards, published by Popcorn Co. Ltd, made in China, 2011.

STAB Lx Matchbox labels with playing card designs

Above: STAB Lx Swedish Matchbox labels with playing card designs.

Birkel Schwarzer Peter Zirkus Kartenspiel, c.1950

Above: Birkel Schwarzer Peter Zirkus Kartenspiel, Germany, c.1950.

Miniature playing cards, 1964

Above: Miniature Spanish playing cards, 1964.

Above: Piatnik’s “Empire Patience”

avatar
1,433 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


Related Articles

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

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

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

1977 Bibaraja

Bibaraja

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

1985 Paco Lobo

Paco Lobo

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

1970 Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII

Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII

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

1988 Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco

Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco

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

1994 Baraja de Alava

Baraja de Alava

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

1993 Le Carte di Forattini

Le Carte di Forattini

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

1996 Postak – Las Postas

Postak – Las Postas

‘Postak - Las Postas’ playing cards commemorating the history of the Basque postal service, Spain, 1...

1904 Miniature Card Dominoes

Miniature Card Dominoes

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

1987 Sylvanian Families mini playing cards

Sylvanian Families mini playing cards

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

2023 Naipes de Personajes Granadinos

Naipes de Personajes Granadinos

Forty famous men and women with links to Granada, on a pack designed by Rubén Garrido.

1810 Miniature playing cards by Joseph Fetscher

Miniature playing cards by Joseph Fetscher

Uncut sheet of miniature Bavarian playing cards by Joseph Fetscher.

1859 The Origin of Patience Games in English

The Origin of Patience Games in English

Jessel’s Bibliography of works in English on Playing Cards and Gaming describes “The first book on P...

1975 Mercante in Fiera di Jacovitti

Mercante in Fiera di Jacovitti

Traditional Italian card game with comic designs by Benito Jacovitti.

1981 Bankunión playing cards

Bankunión playing cards

Ingredients and recipes for 24 dishes from different regions of Spain.

1915 Goodall 1915-1916 Sample Book

Goodall 1915-1916 Sample Book

Complete contents of a sample book by Goodall & Sons

Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements

Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements

It is often difficult to identify the origin, manufacturer and date of a card game boxed set and oth...

1972 Souvenir Playing Cards of Egypt

Souvenir Playing Cards of Egypt

55 different photographic views of Egypt in full colour.

Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares

Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares

Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares, produced by Messrs Edward Mortimer, Halifax and London.

2017 Le carte di Tex

Le carte di Tex

Characters from the famous Italian comic book series, Tex, created by Gian Luigi Bonelli and Aurelio...

1924 Non-standard pack by J.J. Nunes

Non-standard pack by J.J. Nunes

Charming designs reminiscent of older, northern European models.

1983 Baraxa Galega

Baraxa Galega

Baraxa Galega designed by F. Perez Llamosas and published by Naipes Heraclio Fournier, 1983.

1977 El Desnudo en el Arte

El Desnudo en el Arte

The Nude in Art / El Desnudo en el Arte, Spain, 1977 (reprint 1990)

1975 Baraja Fiesta Taurina

Baraja Fiesta Taurina

‘Baraja Fiesta Taurina’ bullfight playing cards published by Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 1975.

1991 Secretos de Oriente

Secretos de Oriente

Secrets of the Far East playing cards featuring the designs of Violeta Monreal , Spain, c. 1991.

1983 España Imperial

España Imperial

España imperial / Imperial Spain playing cards with artwork by Serny, published by Heraclio Fournier...

1988 Medieval Life playing cards

Medieval Life playing cards

‘Medium Aevum’ (Medieval Life) playing cards designed by Violeta Monreal, published by Heraclio Four...

1961 American Civil War playing cards

American Civil War playing cards

American Civil War centennial playing cards designed by Teodoro N. Miciano and published by Fournier...

1998 Naipes Heraclio Fournier 130th Anniversary

Naipes Heraclio Fournier 130th Anniversary

Baraja conmemorativa del 130 aniversario de naipes Heraclio Fournier (1868-1998) Spain, 1998.

2002 Gaudí playing cards

Gaudí playing cards

Gaudí playing cards with photography by Ramon Manent, Spain, 2002.

1979 Baraja Aragonesa

Baraja Aragonesa

Celebrating the costumes, architecture, coins and crafts of Aragon in Spain, with designs by Raúl Ro...

1993 Multicard

Multicard

A Spanish-suited pack with multiple uses including roulette and dice.

1977 The New Game of Tarot (or Tarock)

The New Game of Tarot (or Tarock)

Regional costumes and alpine flora on a French Tarot game pack marking 600 years of playing cards in...

1974 Mini Jass

Mini Jass

Pocket-size cards with modern designs for playing the Swiss national card game, Jass.

1985 Baraja Canaria

Baraja Canaria

Comic courts and non-standard suits representing the Canary Islands, with designs by Eduardo Millare...

1988 Festa Major de Vilafranca 1988

Festa Major de Vilafranca 1988

Colourful figures associated with the annual festival held in Vilafranca, Catalonia.

1994 Crystal Time

Crystal Time

Colourful and attractive designs by Violeta Monreal, inspired by stained glass through the ages.

1984 The Firebird playing cards

The Firebird playing cards

Exquisite designs with characters and scenes from Russian folk tales by the artist Yury Shakov.

1741 Great Mogul Playing Cards

Great Mogul Playing Cards

The origins of the 'Great Mogul' brand playing cards.

1888 Lithographic Stone

Lithographic Stone

Historic lithographic stone from the Fournier playing card factory, c.1888.

2002 Rasta playing cards

Rasta playing cards

Rasta playing cards celebrating the Rastafari religion.