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Swiss Playing Cards

Swiss Playing Cards

The Swiss national suit system of shields, acorns, hawk bells and flowers emerged sometime during the XV century.

Frauejass 1998

Frauejass

‘Frauejass / le Jass au féminin’ designed by Susan Csomor, Switzerland, c. 1998.

Rococo Playing Cards 1914

Rococo Playing Cards

Piatnik’s Rococo style playing cards issued as “Rococo Patience”, “Luxus-Patience”, “Empire Patience”, “White Horse Patience”, “Patience-Whist No.140” and “Mini Patience”

Not the Iraqi Most Wanted playing cards 2004

Not the Iraqi Most Wanted playing cards

Fifty-five Irish heroes and villains, some ancient but mostly modern.

Commoners playing cards 2020

Commoners playing cards

Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.

Feh Schnapskarten 1972

Feh Schnapskarten

Colourful promotional pack for Feh household and toilet papers.

Liber Ludorum 2019

Liber Ludorum

Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.

Hansaplast<sup>®</sup> 1993

Hansaplast®

Advertising pack for Hansaplast, with comic courts sporting sticking plasters.

Pike and Clover playing cards 2018

Pike and Clover playing cards

Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.

Lorilleux International 1988

Lorilleux International

Promotional pack for Lorilleux International’s Lotus inks, with designs by James Hodges.

Les Tontons du Rock 2021

Les Tontons du Rock

Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine 2004

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine

A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of the same name.

Inglewood Hunting Deck 2023

Inglewood Hunting Deck

Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.

The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440 1440

The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440

The Princely Hunting Pack, c.1440/45, is attributed to Konrad Witz and his workshop in Basle.

Stuttgart pack, c.1430 1430

Stuttgart pack, c.1430

The luxury, hand-painted Stuttgart Cards (Stuttgarter Kartenspiel) dated c.1430, with suits of ducks, falcons, stags and hounds.

B. Braun-Dexon<sup>®</sup> 1986

B. Braun-Dexon®

Publicity pack promoting B. Braun-Dexon’s atraumatic needles, with non-standard courts and pips.

Bibaraja 1977

Bibaraja

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

That’s Entertainment 2014

That’s Entertainment

A deck of 55 cards celebrating 20th Century vaudeville, musicals and cabaret.

Hitchcock 2021

Hitchcock

A deck of 55 cards celebrating the master of mystery, murder and mayhem, Alfred Hitchcock.

Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan 1982

Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan

This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most beloved films in the Star Trek saga.

Rock & Pop Legends 2005

Rock & Pop Legends

Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.

Classic Movie Posters 2008

Classic Movie Posters

A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.

Pin-Ups 2010

Pin-Ups

A deck of 55 cards celebrating a golden age of cheeky, naughty, bold and curvy ladies in film.

Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack 2013

Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack

The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards Past Masters’ Association Presentation Pack, 2013.

Burgundy pattern 1745

Burgundy pattern

The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.

Peintres Latino Americains 1986

Peintres Latino Americains

Original artwork by 18 different Latin American artists.

Zodiaque 1980

Zodiaque

“Les Signes du Zodiaque” playing cards designed by Youdi des Aubrys.

British Monarchs 1981

British Monarchs

Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th July 1981.

54 Affiches Retro 1991

54 Affiches Retro

54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.

Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle

Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle

Taking a closer look at the rise of media tie-in branded tarot deck and esoteric lifestyle of younger generations.

Il Vostro Destino 1989

Il Vostro Destino

Italian fortune-telling pack produced by Viassone and later by Masenghini.

Jeu de la Belle Epoque 1980

Jeu de la Belle Epoque

Jeu de la Belle Epoque, remembering a golden age of optimism, progress and elegance.

Paco Lobo 1985

Paco Lobo

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

Phelippe Ayet, 1574 1574

Phelippe Ayet, 1574

49 assorted cards were found hidden in the lintel of a doorway, in an old building in Toledo, during demolition, and are now preserved in the the Museo de Santa Cruz de Toledo.

Phelippe Ayet, c.1574 1574

Phelippe Ayet, c.1574

Archaic, late medieval Spanish-suited playing cards printed by Phelippe Ayet, c.1574.

Correspondances 1985

Correspondances

‘Correspondances’ depicting the 52 transfer stations of the Paris Métropolitain, France, 1985.

Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII 1970

Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII

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

Jeu Gothique 1987

Jeu Gothique

‘Jeu Gothique’ illustrating the Gothic period in France, published by Editions Dusserre.

62: French regional patterns: the queens and jacks

62: French regional patterns: the queens and jacks

Continuing our look at the figures from the regional patterns of France.

61: French regional patterns: the kings

61: French regional patterns: the kings

On page 11 I illustrated several examples of the regional French patterns from Sylvia Mann's collection; this is a more in-depth look at the figures of these patterns ("portraits" in French).

Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco 1988

Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco

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

Collectors’ Playing Cards for Sale

Collectors’ Playing Cards for Sale

Some interesting playing cards for sale.

Noah’s Deck 1988

Noah’s Deck

“Noah’s Deck” designed by Ljiljana Rylands.

Baraja de Alava 1994

Baraja de Alava

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

Jeu Bonaparte 1978

Jeu Bonaparte

Jeu Bonaparte depicting the extended family of Napoleon Bonaparte, France, 1978

Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française 1989

Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française

Pack created by Yannick Pennanguer commemorating the bicentenary of the French Revolution and the centenary of L’Est Républicain.

Hôtels-Grils Campanile 1985

Hôtels-Grils Campanile

Publicity pack for the Campanile hotel and restaurant chain featuring French provincial costumes, with designs by James Hodges.

Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens 1988

Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens

Reproduction of Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens relating to the Phrygian cap (or liberty cap), France, 1988.

Miniature Card Dominoes 1904

Miniature Card Dominoes

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

Myriorama 1824

Myriorama

Myriorama of Italian scenery, 1824.

Sweden playing cards 2000

Sweden playing cards

Named characters from Swedish history.

San Paolo Shakespeare 1978

San Paolo Shakespeare

San Paolo Shakespeare, Italy, 1978

February 2024

Romania playing cards 2000

Romania playing cards

Romanian voivodes and their wives from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Dutch Court playing cards 1999

Dutch Court playing cards

Games & Print Services’ version of the Dutch pattern.

Games & Print Services

Games & Print Services

Games & Print Services Limited, of Canvey Island, now part of Cartamundi.

Traditional English Court

Traditional English Court

Games & Print Services Ltd traditional English courts.

Modern English Court

Modern English Court

Modern English court style by Games & Print Services Limited, c.1997.

Le jeu des 7 Familles ’Utuafare

Le jeu des 7 Familles ’Utuafare

Colourful Happy Families game from Tahiti depicting costumes from different archipelagoes.

Le Carte di Forattini 1993

Le Carte di Forattini

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

San Paolo Chekhov 1983

San Paolo Chekhov

Characters from Chekhov’s plays designed by Paolo Fresu for San Paolo Istituto Bancario, Italy, c.1983.

The Search for New Games in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century

The Search for New Games in the late 19th century

A few new games survived and are still around today; most came and went and are only witnessed in the literature by the equivalent of a vapour trail.

Chas Goodall and Son 1820-1922 1820

Chas Goodall and Son 1820-1922

Today nothing remains of Charles Goodall's Camden Works, where three-quarters of the playing cards printed in Britain were produced.

12: Goodall & Son

12: Goodall & Son

Charles Goodall & Son, 1820-1922 and beyond.

Norfin® Trolls 1992

Norfin® Trolls

Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.

Norwegian Troll Cards 2000

Norwegian Troll Cards

Norwegian Troll Cards published by Aune Forlag of Trondheim, c.2000.

Netherlands

Netherlands

Playing cards have been known in the Low Countries since the 14th century

Bibliography & References

Bibliography & References

The following works on Playing Card history and design have been consulted in preparing this website.

Tô Tôm №1204 1900

Tô Tôm №1204

Tô Tôm is played with a 120-card Chinese-style deck.

Tam Cúc  三菊

Tam Cúc 三菊

Tam Cúc playing cards from Vietnam (Việt Nam), based on Chinese chess, 2016

Paraguayan Playing Cards

Paraguayan Playing Cards

Playing Cards in Paraguay

Impressionist Art Cards 2002

Impressionist Art Cards

Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.

Jeu de la V<sup>me</sup> 1977

Jeu de la Vme

A political pack designed by Pino Zac and published in 1977 by Editions Arts et Lettres.

Le Giscarte 1976

Le Giscarte

Le Giscarte political playing cards designed by Eddy Munerol, France, 1976.

Postak – Las Postas 1996

Postak – Las Postas

‘Postak - Las Postas’ playing cards commemorating the history of the Basque postal service, Spain, 1996.

ČZ playing cards 1965

ČZ playing cards

Advertising pack for the Czechoslovak motorcycle factory Česká Zbrojovka.

Bourbon Bridge 1975

Bourbon Bridge

Attractive, woodcut-style courts adapted for modern play.

Storia del Fascismo - gioco di carte

Storia del Fascismo - gioco di carte

‘Storia del Fascismo’ playing cards depicting persons, symbols and artifacts associated with Italian fascism.

Domino Cards, c.1890 1890

Domino Cards, c.1890

Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890

Bischofszell 1987

Bischofszell

Advertising pack for the food producer Bischofszell, designed by Heinz Looser-Brenner, with non-standard suits.

Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского 1978

Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского

A pack of cards depicting characters from the famous play "The Wedding of Krechinsky" by Sukhovo-Kobylina. Колода содержит изображения персонажей известной пьесы Сухово-Кобылина "Свадьба Кречинского"

Calon Arang • Калон Аранг - Бали

Calon Arang • Калон Аранг - Бали

Calon Arang, a figure from 12th-century Javanese and Balinese folklore known as a witch skilled in black magic, is the subject of a preserved manuscript at the Royal Netherlands Institute. Калон Аранг • персонаж яванского и балийского фольклора, датируемого 12 веком. Традиция называет ее ведьмой, мастером черной магии. Неизвестно, кто сочинил эту историю, но рукопись текста Калон Аранга (написанная латинским алфавитом) хранится в Королевском нидерландском институте исследований Юго-Восточной Азии и Карибского бассейна.

T. Drayton & Son 1875

T. Drayton & Son

Bezique and Whist boxed sets by T. Drayton & Son, London, c.1875.

Jeu des Médecins 1983

Jeu des Médecins

Cartoons of doctors and nurses by Pino Zac, published by B.P. Grimaud in 1983.

Kenya Tribes Playing Cards 1991

Kenya Tribes Playing Cards

“Kenya Tribus” playing cards published by Sapra, Mount Kenya Sundries Ltd, Nairobi, 1991

66: Adverts and related material 1862-1900

66: Adverts and related material 1862-1900

Some further material relating to cards from nineteenth and twentieth century periodicals.

Scheffmacher 1975

Scheffmacher

Advertising pack for Scheffmacher, master painters in Schaffhausen, with comic designs by Fritz Bünzli.

Colour doodle deck 2011

Colour doodle deck

“1952-2002 commemorative deck” customised with doodles by an uncredited artist, UK, 2011.

Circular Coon Cards

Circular Coon Cards

Circular playing cards in a round tin titled: Sutherland's Circular Coon Cards published by Hartley Bros Pty Ltd, Australia, late 19th century.

Baraja Cuauhtémoc 1950

Baraja Cuauhtémoc

Baraja Cuauhtémoc published by Treviño Narro, Monterrey, Mexico Original artwork by P. X. Santaella featuring Aztec and other important pre-Columbian cultures.

Jeu Boléro 1962

Jeu Boléro

Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.

Spielkarte für Schützen 1966

Spielkarte für Schützen

“Spielkarte für Schützen” deck designed by Karl Heinz Lanz, published by Rudolf Bechtold and Co., c.1966

53: Some recent acquisitions and corrections

53: Some recent acquisitions and corrections

The following items are additions and alterations to my collection, the rest of which is listed on page 69.