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2023 198 Articles
October 2023 11 Articles
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
“Around the world in 54 cards” hand-coloured transformation pack produced by Peter Wood, United Kingdom, 2008.
Disney Princess
Featuring Disney Princesses and Enchanting Tales in two sizes of pack made for Eastern Europe.
Hot-Air Balloons & Co.
Hot-air balloons and airships from the early days to 1988, with designs by S. Baraldi and F. Tacconi.
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 2 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.