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2023 100 Articles
October 2023 5 Articles
Marcel Ruijters Tarots
Two very remarkable tarots by the award winning Dutch cartoonist Marcel Ruijters.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Characters and scenes from the Disney film of the same name, on a pack made for Eastern Europe.
Sa Majesté, le roi des jeux de cartes
A colourful pack aimed at children, with illustrations by Muriel Kerba.
September 2023 37 Articles
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
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by Tony Hall
Jessel’s Bibliography of works in English on Playing Cards and Gaming describes “The first book on Patience published in English”, dated 1859.
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
Kings of India playing cards depicting the four greatest dynasties of India.
Mickey Mouse Rummy
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other Disney characters on a pack made for Eastern Europe.
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
Traditional Italian card game with comic designs by Benito Jacovitti.
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
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by Ken Lodge
An overview of some of the early cards made in the United States.
British Columbia Souvenir
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by Ian Taylor
British Columbia Souvenir Playing Cards by The Clarke and Stuart Company
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
Minchiate Fiorentine created by Costante Costantini, published by Edizioni del Solleone.
Moorish Deck
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by Simon Wintle
Review of “Trzes’ Moorish Deck” facsimile published by Ulrich Kaltenborn, Berlin, 2023.
Kuhn Khan and Cooncan: an update
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by Tony Hall
Kuhn Khan and Cooncan are pretty much exactly the same rummy-style game, but packaged and presented differently.
American President Lines
American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.
Royal Hawaiian playing cards
Royal Hawaiian playing cards published by the Royal Hawaiian Playing Card Company, Honolulu.
Naipe Navarro
Historical figures and artefacts from Navarre with designs by M. Sinués for the Navarre Association of Volunteer Blood Donors.
Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6
Official souvenir pack showing 52 coloured exhibits from the New York World’s Fair, 1964-6.
The Evolution of Bezique boxed sets, 1869 to 1990
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by Tony Hall
The first company to register Bezique materials with Stationers’ Hall was Josh Reynolds & Son in September 1869.
Buffalo soldiers
“Buffalo soldiers” playing cards commemorating African American military men who helped change the face of America.
Gibert Jeune
Publicity pack for Gibert Jeune, the famous Parisian bookshop, with designs by James Hodges.
Century of Progress
‘Century of Progress’ Exposition playing cards produced by Western Playing Card Company, USA, 1933.
The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards
A flicker pack with different backs, advertising the Saab 900 Convertible motor car.
Souvenir Playing Cards from Lebanon
Multicoloured Belgian/Genoese pattern cards, probably printed by Fournier for Lebanon.
Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum
Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum souvenir playing cards, USA, 2012.
The making of a Bridge or Bézique marker
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by Tony Hall
This post-mortem was carried out on a Bezique marker which was already falling apart.
I Tarocchi del Cinema (di Sesar)
A set of Tarot trumps on the subject of the cinema, with designs by Sergio Sarri.
August 2023 41 Articles
New York City souvenir
New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.
Le carte della Fortuna
Modern Italian fortune-telling pack from 1975, with designs by Sergio Ruffolo.
Tarocco Indovino
Sergio Ruffolo’s “Tarocco Indovino” is an expanded version of his “Lo Zodiaco” cartomancy deck.
Il Mercante in Fiera del Solleone
Traditional Italian card game with bold designs by Costante Costantini.
Disney Villains Tarot Deck
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by Jinny Wintle
The Disney Villains tarot deck by Insight Editions emphasises iconic villains, merging traditional tarot with Disney narratives, making it an approachable blend of pop culture and modern mysticism.
De La Rue 1932-1933 Sample Book of Advertising cards
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by Paul Symons
Complete contents of a sample book of advertising cards by De La Rue
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1925
A Gardener’s Labyrinth
Photographs of flowers, herbs and vegetables by leading photographer Tessa Traeger.
Kyoto Souvenir Deck
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by Ian Taylor
Kyoto Souvenir playing cards by Nintendo aimed at the up and coming tourist industry, 1950s.
Political Players
Caricatures by Garth Stackhouse of American politicians involved in the 1996 presidential campaign.
Costumes des Peuples Étrangers
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by Simon Wintle
Costumes des Peuples Étrangers & Jeu d’Or dedicated to young people and likely used for games and fortune-telling.
Shamrock Irish Heritage playing cards
A celebration of some of Ireland’s most famous patriots, politicians and poets.
Nile Fortune cards
Nile Fortune cards no.68x published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1904.
Lenormand Wahrsage-Karten No. 55
Conventional Lenormand designs on a pack from Piatnik but with unconventional numbering.
Petit Etteilla cartomancy cards
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by Simon Wintle
“Petit Etteilla” cartomancy cards designed and published by Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, Paris c.1796
Nouvel Eteila ou le petit nécromancien
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by Simon Wintle
“Nouvel Eteila ou le petit nécromancien” cartomancy cards from France, late 18th century.
Le Nouvel Etteilla
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by Simon Wintle
“Le Nouvel Etteilla” cartomancy deck published in Paris by La Veuve Gueffier, 1806.
Napoleone playing cards
Long, narrow cards designed by Osvaldo Menegazzi, featuring Napoleon, Josephine and various soldiers.
Italia playing cards
Small, narrow cards designed by Osvaldo Menegazzi, bearing a strong resemblance to a Swedish pattern pack.
Le Petit Oracle des Dames
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by Simon Wintle
Le Petit Oracle des Dames ou Récréation des Curieux, Paris, 1807.
Back to the 80s Lenormand
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by Adam Wintle
History meets pop culture in a 36-card set that pays tribute to Lenormand's legacy and the colourful world of 1980s Japanese-style comics.
Seiko fashion cards
Men's and ladies fashion playing cards published for the Seiko Corporation by Nintendo, Japan, 1971.
Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements
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by Tony Hall
It is often difficult to identify the origin, manufacturer and date of a card game boxed set and other card game artifacts.
Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Promotional pack for Chianti Classico wine, with designs by Costante Costantini.
Jonathan Hocus Pocus
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by Simon Wintle
Two sets of conjuring cards published by G. Martin, 6 Great St Thomas Apostle, London, early 19th century.
Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik
Promotional pack for a German steel hardening business, with designs by Costante Costantini.
Henley-on-Thames playing cards
Calendar events and visitor attractions to be found in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Glico Almond Chocolate
Glico Almond Chocolate playing cards with designs by Izumi Tamai, produced by Nintendo, Japan.
Pixel Tarot
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by Adam Wintle
This tarot deck pays tribute to the golden age of pixelated video games, drawing inspiration from the simplicity of pixel art graphics.
Britney Spears Oracle
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by Jinny Wintle
Britney Spears Oracle: A Deck and Guidebook to Be Stronger Than Yesterday — a card set for Britney fans and collectors.
Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights (1001 Nights Tarot)
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by Adam Wintle
This tarot deck captures the idealised Eastern world's magic from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, blending traditional archetypes with mystery and romantic allure. It celebrates the legendary Scheherazade and Eastern mysticism.
July 2023 17 Articles
Novelty Playing Cards
Standard designs by M.F. Milward of Chicago, resembling those of Andrew Dougherty.
XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards with moorish influences
De La Rue Pocket Guides
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by Tony Hall
The 19th Century saw the production, by all of the major companies, of pocket guides or “mini-books” on every type of game.
Motoveteráni
‘Motoveteráni’ playing cards featuring the photographs of Robert Sobčák, Czech Republic,
National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum with drawings by Stuart Black, United Kingdom, 1993.
Baraja Mística
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by Simon Wintle
‘Baraja Mística’ satirical playing-cards featuring revelling clergy published by Litografía Fernández, Madrid.
Alaska scenic playing cards
Alaska scenic playing cards featuring scenes of Alaskan life, USA, c. 1960.
Will’s Cigarettes and Auction Bridge
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by Tony Hall
In 1926 Will’s issued a set of 25 cigarette cards on Auction Bridge, presenting a range of hands illustrating various circumstances in play.
Révolution 1789-1989
Révolution 1789-1989, celebrating the bicentenary of the French revolution, France, 1989
Scaramouche
Scaramouche cartes à jouer with designs by Henri Favre, published by Le Triboulet, France.
The Club Series by G. Bell & Sons
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by Tony Hall
George Bell & Sons produced ‘The Club Series’ of books each specialising in one or more of the popular games of the period.
Hoyle v Foster: whose name should we remember?
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by Tony Hall
Hoyle’s name is associated with the rules by which many games are played, particularly card games But If anyone deserves to be regarded as the source of standard rules for most card games today it is not Hoyle but Robert Frederick Foster (1853-1945).