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2023 100 Articles


December 2023 5 Articles

Les métiers et leurs protecteurs 1995

Les métiers et leurs protecteurs

“Les métiers et leurs protecteurs” playing cards published by Editions Dusserre, c. 1995.

Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer 1753

Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer

Flemish Animal Tarot deck by G. Larmoyer, Liège, 1753.

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte 1994

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Albano-Waite® Tarot 1968

Albano-Waite® Tarot

Recoloured version of the Rider/Waite/Smith tarot produced by Frankie Albano, 1968.

Branle playing cards 2015

Branle playing cards

‘Branle’ playing cards inspired by a 12th-century dance, produced by Noir Arts, USA, 2015.


November 2023 37 Articles

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis 1975

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” video game characters on playing cards, Japan, 2008

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End 2009

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Pack featuring six images from the Disney film of the same name, on cards made for Eastern Europe.

Umbrella Academy playing cards 2019

Umbrella Academy playing cards

Umbrella Academy playing cards created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, USA, 2019.

Shrek the Third playing cards 2007

Shrek the Third playing cards

Characters from the 2007 film Shrek the Third, a DreamWorks Animation production.

Mardi Gras playing cards 2015

Mardi Gras playing cards

Mardi Gras playing cards illustrated by Dave Edgerly, USA, 2015

Storia del Fascismo 1989

Storia del Fascismo

Published by Il Meneghello, this pack provides a visual history of Fascism in Italy between 1919 and 1945.

Romeo and Juliet playing cards 2016

Romeo and Juliet playing cards

Romeo and Juliet playing cards illustrated by Belgian artist Virginie Carquin 2016.

Jeu de cartes Armelle 1983

Jeu de cartes Armelle

Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a company specialising in regional cakes and biscuits.

Banjo playing cards 1978

Banjo playing cards

Banjo playing cards featuring the collection of Akira Tsumura, Japan, c. 1978.

Mechanical Decks – Part 1

Mechanical Decks – Part 1

This article examines the long-short principle in mechanical decks used in magic, detailing various types such as the Svengali, Mirage, and Stripper Decks. It explores their history and usage without revealing the specific methods behind their magic tricks.

Morgan-Greer Tarot 1979

Morgan-Greer Tarot

Based on the knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Paul Foster Case and Arthur Edward Waite.

Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans” 1976

Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”

Joan of Arc and her contemporaries in a colourful pack designed by Patrice Louis.

Jane Austen playing cards 2013

Jane Austen playing cards

Jane Austen playing cards published by Prospero Art, USA, 2013.

Louis De Poortere 1970

Louis De Poortere

Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.

Papyrus Playing Cards 1996

Papyrus Playing Cards

Papyrus playing cards distributed by Egypt Trade, c.1996.

Murphy Varnish pack 2019

Murphy Varnish pack

Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019

New Palladini Tarot 1996

New Palladini Tarot

“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in 1996.

Costumes Alsaciens 1988

Costumes Alsaciens

Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.

Das Nassauische Kartenspiel 1985

Das Nassauische Kartenspiel

Pack conceived by Berthold Conradi, commemorating the 700th anniversary of the granting of town rights to Idstein.

The Aquarian Tarot Deck 1970

The Aquarian Tarot Deck

The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.

Pendleton playing cards 2019

Pendleton playing cards

Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.

Een Kaartspel 1985

Een Kaartspel

Minimalist playing cards from The Netherlands

Âs Nas playing cards with box 1880

Âs Nas playing cards with box

Hand made cards from Persia

Winnie the Pooh Rummy 2009

Winnie the Pooh Rummy

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and friends on a pack made for Eastern Europe.

Aztec Codex playing cards 2015

Aztec Codex playing cards

Aztec Codex playing cards illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, USA, ©2015.

Jägerkarte Nr.465 1930

Jägerkarte Nr.465

Dondorf Jägerkarte Nr. 465 playing cards dedicated to the theme of hunting, c.1930.

Linweave Tarot 1967

Linweave Tarot

The Linweave Tarot is actually an elaborate set of paper samples from the Pulp, Paper and Board Division of Brown Company, New York.

Fox Lake Playing Cards

Fox Lake Playing Cards

A Magician’s Perspective.

The Pack of Positivity 2020

The Pack of Positivity

Katie Abey’s rainbow-coloured designs using crazy animals to convey motivating phrases.

The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards 1994

The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards

Dinosaurs from different ages and locations, with artwork by Virginijus Poshkus.

Map of the world in full bloom 2017

Map of the world in full bloom

Map of the world in full bloom, USA, 2017

Englische Karten nr.190 1867

Englische Karten nr.190

Dondorf Nr.190“Englische Karten”, 1867-1895.

Specsavers playing cards 2010

Specsavers playing cards

to help you see better when playing cards

Dino Deck playing cards 1991

Dino Deck playing cards

A different dinosaur for each of the four suits, two printed in red and two in blue.

Historic Early Aviation 2003

Historic Early Aviation

Reproductions of cigarette cards from 1910 on the subject of the early days of aviation.

Know your deplorables 2017

Know your deplorables

Photographs of political and media figures associated with the Presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021).


October 2023 33 Articles

Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno 1981

Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno

Egg-shaped cards created by Rodolfo Krasno employing photographic images by Michel Leclerc.

3-D Dino Cards 2020

3-D Dino Cards

Lenticular images of different, unnamed dinosaurs on all-plastic cards.

Jack-O’-Lantern Tarot 2021

Jack-O’-Lantern Tarot

Giuliano Costa's Jack-O’-Lantern tarot blends Rider-Waite symbolism with the rich and atmospheric themes of Halloween.

Tarot of the Unknown 2019

Tarot of the Unknown

Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.

On-line offsite data backup 2004

On-line offsite data backup

On-line offsite data backup publicity playing cards produced by The Bunker, United Kingdom, c. 2004.

French Cartomancy cards, c.1830 1830

French Cartomancy cards, c.1830

French Cartomancy cards published by J. Gaudais; printed by Mansion, Paris, c.1830.

Commemorative Olympic Playing Cards 1980

Commemorative Olympic Playing Cards

Commemorative Olympic Playing Cards produced by Waddingtons exclusively for Stanley Gibbons Antiquarian, 1980.

The Famous Dinosaurs Playing Cards 2002

The Famous Dinosaurs Playing Cards

54 different dinosaurs, both large and small, illustrated by Cecilia Fitzsimons.

De Tarot in de herstelde orde 1995

De Tarot in de herstelde orde

“De Tarot in de herstelde orde” (The Tarot in the restored order) a re-ordered Rider-Waite tarot deck.

Âs Nas

Âs Nas

Âs Nas type playing cards from Persia.

Dorset Dialect Trails 2015

Dorset Dialect Trails

‘Dorset Dialect Trails’ playing cards, United Kingdom, 2015.

Möbel-Spiel 1968

Möbel-Spiel

Publicity pack for the East German furniture industry, with designs by Werner-Hans Schlegel.

Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction) 2020

Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)

Eclipse Comic playing cards is a reproduction of the first transformation pack printed in the USA in 1876 by F.H. Lowerre.

Hand-painted and Silk-inlaid playing cards 1690

Hand-painted and Silk-inlaid playing cards

Complete pack of 36 hand-painted and silk-inlaid playing cards with French suits made in Germany.

Early German playing cards 1450

Early German playing cards

Some early examples of popular German playing cards from the XV and XVI centuries.

Les Montgolfières 1783-1983 1983

Les Montgolfières 1783-1983

Honouring the bicentenary of the Montgolfier brothers’ first balloon flights in 1783.

Schwarze Katze (or Gioco del Gatto Nero) 1984

Schwarze Katze (or Gioco del Gatto Nero)

Reproduction of a 40-card transformation pack with designs by “WS”, adapted for the game of Black Cat.

Le Jeu des Peintres 1973

Le Jeu des Peintres

Modern designs by 19 contemporary artists including Peynet and Hodges.

Old West Guns 2018

Old West Guns

Old West Guns playing cards containing information about firearms from the Old West, USA.

Mario Testino playing cards 2002

Mario Testino playing cards

A selection of Mario Testino’s photographic work in various fields, notably fashion.

Clamcleats playing cards 1986

Clamcleats playing cards

Clamcleats playing cards for sailors designed by Celia Allison, New Zealand, 1986.

Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques 1990

Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques

Costumes from four operas premiered at the Paris Opera between 1830 and 1840.

Around the world in 54 cards 2008

Around the world in 54 cards

“Around the world in 54 cards” hand-coloured transformation pack produced by Peter Wood, United Kingdom, 2008.

Disney Princess 2009

Disney Princess

Featuring Disney Princesses and Enchanting Tales in two sizes of pack made for Eastern Europe.

The Journey 2008

The Journey

‘The Journey’ limited edition playing cards produced by Peter Wood, UK, 2008.

Old School Playing cards from Moon 2021

Old School Playing cards from Moon

Designed and published by Leo Scherfig

Hot-Air Balloons & Co. 2006

Hot-Air Balloons & Co.

Hot-air balloons and airships from the early days to 1988, with designs by S. Baraldi and F. Tacconi.

Postillion Schafkopf 1994

Postillion Schafkopf

Postillion Schafkopf dedicated to the history of the German postal service.

Marcel Ruijters Tarots 2007

Marcel Ruijters Tarots

Two very remarkable tarots by the award winning Dutch cartoonist Marcel Ruijters.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 2009

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Characters and scenes from the Disney film of the same name, on a pack made for Eastern Europe.

Pretty Frills

Pretty Frills

‘Pretty Frills’ playing cards promoting curtain and blind accessories.

Ian Taylor's Sale List

Ian Taylor's Sale List

Order vintage to modern decks with clear, tiered pricing—payable via BACs or Paypal.

Sa Majesté, le roi des jeux de cartes 2002

Sa Majesté, le roi des jeux de cartes

A colourful pack aimed at children, with illustrations by Muriel Kerba.


September 2023 25 Articles

Centennial Olympic Games playing cards 1993

Centennial Olympic Games playing cards

Centennial Olympic Games playing cards celebrating the centenary of the modern Olympic Games, 1896-1996.

The Origin of Patience Games in English 1859

The Origin of Patience Games in English

Jessel’s Bibliography of works in English on Playing Cards and Gaming describes “The first book on Patience published in English”, dated 1859.

Y-ME playing cards 1997

Y-ME playing cards

Works by 54 American artists in aid of a breast cancer charity.

Malam playing cards 2015

Malam playing cards

Malam playing cards created by Michael Muldoon, USA, 2015.

The Broons and Oor Wullie playing cards 2011

The Broons and Oor Wullie playing cards

Characters from The Broons and Oor Wullie comic strips on their 75th anniversary.

Kings of India playing cards 2015

Kings of India playing cards

Kings of India playing cards depicting the four greatest dynasties of India.

Mickey Mouse Rummy 2009

Mickey Mouse Rummy

Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other Disney characters on a pack made for Eastern Europe.

Netter playing cards 2017

Netter playing cards

Anatomical playing cards published by Elsevier, USA, 2017.

Carte da Gioco Mongolfiere 2000

Carte da Gioco Mongolfiere

Various hot-air balloons on a pack from a small Florentine publisher.

History of London illustrated playing cards 2009

History of London illustrated playing cards

A catalogue in 54 cards of some of the treasures held within the Museum of London collections.

Mercante in Fiera di Jacovitti 1975

Mercante in Fiera di Jacovitti

Traditional Italian card game with comic designs by Benito Jacovitti.

Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze 1981

Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze

Costante Costantini's second Minchiate deck, “Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze”, was published by Solleone in 1981.

75: Early American cards

75: Early American cards

An overview of some of the early cards made in the United States.

Ladbroke Sporting Casino 2006

Ladbroke Sporting Casino

Ladbroke Sporting Casino caricature cartoon playing cards, U.K, c.2006.

British Columbia Souvenir 1905

British Columbia Souvenir

British Columbia Souvenir Playing Cards by The Clarke and Stuart Company

Bolognese pattern 1906

Bolognese pattern

Standard Bolognese pattern pack by Murari of Bari.

Star Wars: a New Hope 2007

Star Wars: a New Hope

‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, 2007.

Minchiate Fiorentine 1980

Minchiate Fiorentine

Minchiate Fiorentine created by Costante Costantini, published by Edizioni del Solleone.

Moorish Deck 2023

Moorish Deck

Review of “Trzes’ Moorish Deck” facsimile published by Ulrich Kaltenborn, Berlin, 2023.

Kuhn Khan and Cooncan: an update 1912

Kuhn Khan and Cooncan: an update

Kuhn Khan and Cooncan are pretty much exactly the same rummy-style game, but packaged and presented differently.

Dandy Rock’n Bubble 1987

Dandy Rock’n Bubble

56 rock and pop stars of the 1980s, issued in Denmark with bubble gum.

American President Lines 1953

American President Lines

American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.

El Jueves playing cards 1988

El Jueves playing cards

Caricatures of 52 famous Spaniards for the satirical magazine “El Jueves”.

Royal Hawaiian playing cards 1978

Royal Hawaiian playing cards

Royal Hawaiian playing cards published by the Royal Hawaiian Playing Card Company, Honolulu.

Naipe Navarro 1980

Naipe Navarro

Historical figures and artefacts from Navarre with designs by M. Sinués for the Navarre Association of Volunteer Blood Donors.