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Playing cards have been with us since the 14th century, when they first entered popular culture. Over the centuries packs of cards, in all shapes and sizes, have been used for games, gambling, education, conjuring, advertising, fortune telling, political messages or the portrayal of national or ethnic identity. All over the world, whatever language is spoken, their significance is universal. Their popularity is also due to the imaginative artwork and graphic design which is sometimes overlooked, and the “then & now” of how things have changed.

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Hungary

24 Articles

Römihártya

Römihártya pin-up deck from Hungary.

Römihártya

Persian Miniatures

Persian Miniatures, made in Hungary c.1990.

Persian Miniatures

Römihártya Játékkartyagyár

Pin-up Rummy Playing Cards, made in Hungary, c.1970.

Römihártya Játékkartyagyár

Hungarian Drinking Skat

Hungarian Drinking Skat, c.2004.

Hungarian Drinking Skat

Tell Wilmoś

Facsimile of ‘Wilhelm Tell’ Hungarian deck by Salamon Antal, Keczkemét, 1860.

Tell Wilmoś

Bathing Beauties

Bathing Beauties throughout the ages, published in Hungary, 1967.

Bathing Beauties

54 Pin-up Motivs

Hungarian pin-up deck illustrated by Imre Sebök, c.1960.

54 Pin-up Motivs

Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty

“Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty” (Czech Seasons playing cards) made by Obchodní Tiskárny, c.1980.

Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty

Ronia Genoese Pattern

‘Ronia’ Genoese Pattern made in Hungary for the Dutch market, c.1970

Ronia Genoese Pattern

Tarok c.1900

Piatnik & Söhne “Industrie und Glück” Tarok c.1905-1910.

Tarok c.1900

Turkey

Artex A/30 brand for Turkey, 1980s.

Turkey

Magyar Kártya No.123

Luxus No.123 Hungarian seasons pattern manufactured in Hungary by the Playing-Card Factory and Printing House, c.1970.

Magyar Kártya No.123

Gdynia-America Line

Non-standard playing cards produced by Artex (Budapest) for the Gdynia-America Line, Poland, c.1958.

Gdynia-America Line

Artex Quadrilato for Tunisia

Artex Quadrilato No.333 for Tunisia

Artex Quadrilato for Tunisia

Artex No.111

No.111 by Artex is a copy of Waddingtons standard designs, c1962.

Artex No.111

Austrian Cartomancy Cards

During the 19th century a system of fortune telling arose in Europe using unnumbered, pictorial cards depicting popular imagery with subtitles in several languages.

Austrian Cartomancy Cards

Matyó-Bridge No.50

The court cards in this delightful Art Deco pack represent persons in various colourfully embroidered folkloric costumes. Designed by Hungarian artist Ilona Radnainé Szöredi.

Matyó-Bridge No.50

Hungarian Seasons playing cards by G. Berger, Buenos Aires

Hungarian 'Seasons' playing cards made by G. Berger, Alsina 373, Buenos Aires c.1940

Hungarian Seasons playing cards by G. Berger, Buenos Aires

Naipes Tipo Húngaro

32 cards Hungarian "Seasons" pattern, with Argentinean tax stamp and trade mark of six-pointed star on 7 of bells, c.1955-60.

Naipes Tipo Húngaro

Hungarian Seasons pattern

The Hungarian Seasons pattern. With the Hungarian deck you can play a lot of card games. Every village has its own game and rules with this card deck.

Hungarian Seasons pattern

Tungsram Playing Cards

Tungsram Playing Cards, Art Deco playing cards from Hungary

Tungsram Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Tell No. 3306 Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy Tell 3306

Balázs Pál Nagy's Tell No. 3306 Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

War Aid

Hadsegélyzö Kártya ('War Aid Pack' or 'War Aid Cards') Nr. 63 designed by Leo Kober and first published by Piatnik, Budapest, in 1917.

War Aid