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May 2022
Royal Cards Reign of Queen Anne
“Royal Cards Reign of Queen Anne” cover historical events, both honourable and treacherous, during the period 1702 to 1704.
April 2022
March 2022
Korchma Taras Bulba
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by Simon Wintle
The first of two decks designed by Ukrainian illustrator Vladislav Erko for “Korchma Taras Bulba” restaurant which serves traditional Ukrainian cuisine
February 2022
Müller: Richelieu
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by Rod Starling
This deck is named after Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, Cardinal-Duc de Richelieu (1585-1642), a French Roman Catholic Clergyman and statesman, Chief Adviser to King Louis XIII, noted for the authoritarian measures he employed to maintain power.
HOLIDAY COTTAGE FOR RENT
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by Ken Lodge
My wife and I have recently started to offer a holiday cottage for rent.
72: The Ace of Spades
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by Ken Lodge
In standard English packs the Ace of Spades is associated with decorative designs. This is a historical survey of why this should be.
January 2022
Cartomancy and Divination Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Playing cards are used for fortune-telling, predicting the future or even as a psychological adjunct to folk medicine and therapy.
Newsletter: Costume & Fashion as Revealed in Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
In this newsletter we’re looking at how fashion and costume is represented through playing card art since the 14th century through to today.
December 2021
November 2021
A. Camoin & Cie
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by Simon Wintle
This deck was inherited from ancestors, it has has a family history surrounding it. Details of the lives of previous owners make it all so fascinating.
October 2021
Bone Playing Cards
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by Becky Bevan
My late mother found these miniature cards in a skip around 50 years ago.
Folk Cards
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by Marc Pavone
Folk Cards designed by Krystyna Gruchalska-Bunsch for Lot Polish Airlines, 1962.
September 2021
Spyscape
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by Marc Pavone
Spyscape espionage, surveillance and cryptography themed playing cards, 2018.
August 2021
Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
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by Simon Wintle
We are deeply saddened by news of the passing of Anthony Rex Pitts (1940-2021).
History of Playing Cards explained in 5 Minutes
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by Adam Wintle
Video by Art of Impossible. In this video you will get a short overview of the most important historical facts about playing cards and their history.
May 2021
Chad Valley Co. Ltd
Chad Valley Co. Ltd (incorporating Johnson Brothers (Harborne) Ltd, the long-established UK brand bought by Woolworths in 1988 and now sold at Argos.
Ariel Productions Ltd
The founder of Ariel Productions, Philip Marx, was a prolific publisher of children’s books and comics towards the end of and just after the Second World War.
J. W. Spear and Sons
Jacob Wolfe Spear founded his company manufacturing fancy goods in 1879 near Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany
Multum in Parvo Co., Ltd
Multum in Parvo published a range of indoor games during the period from 1884-1927.
Crazy People
Crazy People children’s card game illustrated by caricaturist and graphic artist Walter Trier, c.1950.
Andere Zeiten - Andere Kleider
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by Simon Wintle
‘History of fashion’ cultural quartet game designed by Erika Werner-Nestler, 1954.
Netherlands Kostuum Kwartet
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by Simon Wintle
Dutch costumes quartet game designed by Gerard Huijg, 1983.
Nederlands Stedenkwartet
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by Simon Wintle
Nederlands Stedenkwartet with heraldic needlepoint patterns by Permin, c.1970.
April 2021
Österreichisches Trachten-quartett
Österreichisches Trachten-quartett Nr.282 published by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne.
Round the World Happy Families
Round the World Happy Families by Chiefton Products Ltd of Bristol, c.1950s.
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes illustrated by Ludwig Winkler, published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck.
So Fängt Es An
“So Fängt Es An” beautifully illustrated by M. Neugebauer, published by Helingsche Verlagsanstalt, c.1950.
La Sibylle des Salons
La Sibylle des Salons facsimile of 19th century deck published by J M Simon, 1979.
Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt
“Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt” transport quartet game by Bielefelder Spielkarten Fabrik GmbH, 1958.
March 2021
Vargas Girls
‘Vargas Girls’ paintings by Alberto Vargas in a deck of cards published by Creative Playing Card Co Missouri.
Schwarzer Peter no.964
Schwarzer Peter no.964 published by Josef Hohlweg, Vienna, early 20th century.
February 2021
Gulliver im Land der Zwerge
Gulliver in the Land of Dwarfs quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pößneck.
Gambling and Vice in the Middle Ages
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by Simon Wintle
Gambling and Vice in the Hours of Charles V: card-playing in the local tavern
Bass & Bass Jeu des Familles
Bass & Bass ‘Jeu des Familles’ made by Franz-Josef Holler, Münich, 1989.
Quinto Centenario del Descubrimiento de América
Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America by Heraclio Fournier, 1992.
The Bristol Pack
The Bristol Pack, an exhibition of playing cards designed by Bristol artists, 2005.
Bedeutende Erfindungen im Alltag
‘Significant Inventions in Everyday Life’ quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1979.
Irish Legendary
Irish Legendary deck featuring figures in the Legends of Ireland, designed by Rachel Arbuckle, 1990.
“Deck with French suits”
A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of F.X. Schmid.
Havermout Kwartetspel
“H-O Kwartetspel” children’s card game promoting quick cooking oatmeal (instant porridge), 1930s.
January 2021
Crocheter’s Playing Cards
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by Matt Probert
Crocheter’s playing cards sent to subscribers of the Crochet Society box, 2021.
Werbung die Sticht
“Werbung die Sticht” deck with artwork by Fritz Bünzli to promote advertising on playing cards by AG Müller 1982.
Le Destin Antique
Le Jeu du Destin Antique, originally published by Grimaud in XIX c., republished many times since...
Curator
The Curator Deck with designs by Emmanuel José with suit symbols cleverly transformed into artistic designs.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes deck with caricatures by Jeff Decker published by Gemaco Playing Card Co. 1989
Familias de 7 Paises
“Familias de 7 Paises” card game published by Naipes H. Fournier S.A, Vitoria, 1979.
Gulliver’s Travels
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by Matt Probert
Gulliver’s Travels card game no.293 published by Piatnik, c.1950.
Martin Mystère
Martin Mystère based on the comic book by Alfredo Castelli. The cards were designed by Giancarlo Alessandrini.
Warren Paper Products
Warren Paper Products Co., Lafayette, Indiana, publishers of Built-Rite toys, games and puzzles.
My Goodness my Guinness
Gilroy Special Edition Playing Cards to commemorate the centenary of the birth of John Gilroy, 1989.
Geschichte des Motorrades
History of Motorcycles quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck, 1989.
December 2020
Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan deck created by Don Jack using artwork from Players cigarette cards.
Christmas Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Christmas Playing Cards published by Novelty Playing Cards, Syracuse, New York, 1986.
Wrappers
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by Simon Wintle
Playing cards were traditionally sold inside paper wrappers, which were usually thrown away.
Benedicte Morand-Bail
Benedicte Morand-Bail’s striking and colourful abstract poker deck with French named courts
Seefahrers II
‘Seefahrers’ maritime deck designed by Klaus Ensikat for Deutsche Seereederei Rostock, GDR.
November 2020
Stationskwartetspel
Railway Stations quartet game illustrated by Wim Dolk and published by Servex BV, Utrecht, 1975.
Natuurkwartet
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by Simon Wintle
Nature Quartet game published by Staatsbosbeheer, printed by Roem Speelkaarten, Kampen.
Sprookjes Kwartet
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by Simon Wintle
Fairy Tales quartet published by Heinrich Schwarz + Co for Dutch market, c.1970.
Investors Overseas Services
Investors Overseas Services, Ltd. (IOS) by A. G. Müller (Schaffhausen), c.1969.
October 2020
Botany Quartetts
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by Becky Bevan
Botany card game published by Houlston and Wright & Henry Greenwood, c.1860.
Gibbs Happy Families
Gibbs Happy Families card game promotion, both full sized and miniature versions, c.1946.
Rainbow
Rainbow card game and colour mixing guide printed by Goodall & Sons for Robert Johnson, c.1920.
September 2020
Why do we Collect? My 20 Favourite Items
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by Tony Hall
I suppose people collect for different reasons, rarity, quality, ingenuity of design, sentimental value... by Tony Hall.
Jeu de Memoire
Jeu de Memoire card game promoting Véritable Chaumes cheese from the village of St Antoines in south west France.
Lever Brothers miniatures
Two miniature card games promoting Vim Scouring Powder and Sunshine Soap, 1930s.
August 2020
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen - Quartett game promoting Kali brand crop fertilizer, 1938.
Märchen-Quartett
Märchen-Quartett (Fairy Tales) illustrated by J. P. Werth and published by J. W. Spear & Söhne, c.1915.
One Penny Games 2
One Penny Card Games, 1900-1910, mostly anonymous 'Snap' games and made in Germany.
Heraldic playing cards
Reproduction of Richard Blome’s Heraldic playing cards, 1684, presented to lady guests at WCMPC Summer Meeting in 1888.
Tonalamatl
Baraja Tonalamatl Mexican Aztec playing cards based on the prehispanic Codex Borgia manuscript.
Schwarzer Peter Der Wald und seine Leute
Schwarzer Peter the Forest and its People, illustrated by Liesel Lauterborn, 1955.
Märchenquartett
Fairy Tales quartet designed by Annemarie Gramberg, published by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken AG, 1955.
Wie Wird das Wetter
Wie Wird das Wetter, a Black Peter game about the weather created by Gunter Eckhardt, published by Rudolf Forkel,1952.
July 2020
Naval and Military Families
Naval and Military Families produced by Prince and Princess Louis of Battenberg, printed by Ernst Nister of Nuremberg, c.1905-10.
Round the World Families
Round the World Families published by the London Missionary Society, c.1945.
National Gallery (Dutch School)
National Gallery (Dutch School) published by J. Jaques & Son, c.1895.
June 2020
La Mariée du Mardi-Gras
La Mariée du Mardi-Gras, published by Jeux et Jouets Français. Paris, early 1900s.
A Royal Game
A Royal Game featuring Queen Victoria’s children and extended family, published by A. Collier, London, c.1896.
Fancy Dress Ball
Spear’s “Fancy Dress Ball” card game with children dressed in period costumes, 1930s.
Parkinson’s Happy Families
Parkinson’s Happy Families published by Parkinson’s of Doncaster, confectioners established in the early nineteenth century.
Biff! Bang!! Wallop!!!
Biff! Bang!! Wallop!!! family card game published by H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, 1939.
Greenpeace
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by Matt Probert
Campaign deck for Greenpeace with drawings of penguins, seals, whales and dolphins.
My Word
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by Matt Probert
My Word “The last word in card games” designed by Michael Kindred and Malcolm Smith, published in 1980 by Waddingtons.
Qantas
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by Matt Probert
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia and is the world's third-oldest airline still in operation, having been founded in November 1920.
A Case Study
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by Matt Probert
Case Study: using detective work to identify and date a pack discovered in charity shop.
Leather Card Case Patent Application
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by Matt Probert
In 1932, a patent was granted to Colin Hart and George Franklin for a leather case in the form of a book cover for playing cards.
May 2020
Snap
Snap by Multum in Parvo Co. Ltd. illustrating common occupations of the day, late 19th century.
April 2020
Whitman card games
In the 1970s Whitman Publishing Co. ordered a series of popular games from Hong Kong for the UK market.
Mary Whitmore Jones and her Chastleton Patience Board
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by Tony Hall
Mary Whitmore Jones and her Chastleton Patience Board by Tony Hall.
March 2020
Cefacidal
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by Simon Wintle
“Cefacidal” / Mead Johnson medical humour advertising playing cards, c.1975.
