Non-standard Spanish-suited playing cards created by Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez and published by Ediciones Baja Andalucia, Sevilla, c.1980.
Bathing Beauties throughout the ages, published in Hungary, 1967.
The courts are full-length figures of English historical personages.
Matching game by Majora, Lisbon, c.1970, featuring figures in national dress from Portuguese provinces and colonies
Chinese Costumes from the Winterthur Collection, published by Fournier, 1984.
Deck featuring 54 different images of Chinese Dragon Robes that emperors, empresses and royal family members wear on important occasions
“Comtesse” by Bielefelder Spielkarten Fabrik GmbH, 1960s
“Dames de France” published by J-M Simon based on originals by Armand Gustave Houbigant, Paris, c.1817
Daveluy produced card games between c.1840 and 1890. Many of his playing cards have historical connotations and show figures with a landscape background.
‘Doctor Who Adventures’ is a weekly magazine aimed at younger readers. From time to time free playing cards are included with the magazine
Naipes ‘El Aguila’ with flamboyantly dressed court figures made in Mexico by La Cubana S.A., c.1975
Promotional playing cards produced for ‘El Rodeo Talabartería’ specialising in leather goods and clothing, Buenos Aires, c.2006.
Spear’s “Fancy Dress Ball” card game with children dressed in period costumes, 1930s.
Far East playing cards with designs by Isabel Ibáñez de Sendadiano, c.1980
“Fashion Face Off” card game illustrated by Erin Petson for Laurence King Publishing, c.2011.
Happy Families of the Nations published by Pepys Games, 1958.
These cards are from neatly etched plates, and are carefully coloured. The court cards present full-length figures in character costumes.
This beautifully engraved and pleasing deck designed in 1856 has French Kings and consorts as the Kings and Queens, with noble attendants as the Jacks, all dressed in magnificent period costumes.
A masterpiece in the genre of tourist souvenir decks, “La Suisse Historique” Swiss Cantons souvenir designed by Melchior Annen in c.1920
Each court figure is richly decorated and holding something different: a letter, a wreath, a quill pen, a mace, a bird, a flower, a cushion, a goblet, a flute, etc.
Mary Queen of Scots and other Tudor period dignitaries, published by Piatnik, 1990.
The court cards in this delightful Art Deco pack represent persons in various colourfully embroidered folkloric costumes. Designed by Hungarian artist Ilona Radnainé Szöredi.
Cartes Moyen-Age by Daveluy, Bruges, c.1875
“Renaissance” playing card designs by A I Charlemagne, 1862.
Gibert was a master card-maker whose fashionable playing cards were of a very high standard.
Reprint of “Lettische Trachten” deck first published in Latvia in 1918.
Österreichisches Trachten-quartett Nr.282 published by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne.
Jeu des Provinces de France published by Éditions Dusserre, 1979.
Spanish regional costumes and coats-of-arms; cute illustrations on each card, 1986.
Piatnik’s Rococo style playing cards issued as “Rococo Patience”, “Luxus-Patience”, “Empire Patience”, “White Horse Patience”, “Patience-Whist No.140”, “Mini Patience” and “Lady Patience”
Russian style “Slavic Costumes” playing cards first published in 1911
Schweizer Trachten No.174 (Costumes Suisses) by Dondorf.
Originally published as “Slavonic Cards No.501” by The Colour Printing Plant, St. Petersburg, in the 1920s
“St Hubert’s Bridge” published by Éditions Philibert, Paris, c.1956
This Swiss Regional Costume pack can be seen as an early form of tourist souvenir which subsequently developed into the photographic souvenir pack.
