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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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Review

32 Articles

Hesslers Rider Back Playing Cards

Hesslers Rider Back Playing Cards with two different coloured backs, 2019.

Hesslers Rider Back Playing Cards

Iohann Christoph Hes Tarot c.1750

Facsimile of Tarot de Marseille by Iohann Christoph Hes, Augsburg, c.1750.

Iohann Christoph Hes Tarot c.1750

Kalevala

Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.

Kalevala

Vizaĝo playing cards

Vizaĝo playing cards created by Annette Abolins, 2017.

Vizaĝo playing cards

Divine Art Playing Cards - Relaunch

Divine Art Playing Cards by Sunish Chabba & Guru Playing Card Company, 2016.

Divine Art Playing Cards - Relaunch

Guru Ganjifa

Sunish Chabba is working on an initiative to revive traditional Ganjifa, the card game most popular 17th Century India.

Guru Ganjifa

Dogs

‘Dogs’ playing cards showcases 52 canine portraits in four suits as authors, artists, musicians and film stars, illustrated by Chet Phillips, 2016

Dogs

Four Point

“Four Point” playing cards, a labour of love designed and illustrated by Ben Vierck, 2014

Four Point

Hesslers Enhanced

Matt Hessler’s “Enhanced” four-colour playing cards, 2015.

Hesslers Enhanced

Game of Thrones

“Game of Thrones” playing cards are an official fan deck associated with the HBO adaptation of the books by George R.R. Martin.

Game of Thrones

Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection

The Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection 2015 includes plenty of favourites, and also includes the official rules for the games as well as tips and strategies, allowing you to easily try out and learn new games.

Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection

GoFishFriday

GoFishFriday is a unique deck of playing cards designed and created in an offbeat and quirky horror-punk style by Catch Phrase Dan

GoFishFriday

Revelation playing cards

“Revelation” playing cards illustrated by Michael Messer

Revelation playing cards

Poker Faces by Alex Elsen

Poker Faces playing cards were illustrated by Alex Elsen and published by Verlag Um Die Ecke, Germany, 2015

Poker Faces by Alex Elsen

Ordnance Recognition

Ordnance Recognition Playing Cards cards designed to help people at risk from unexploded bombs

Ordnance Recognition

The Lumberjacks

2nd edition of Lumberjacks designed by Vadim Smolenskiy and manufactured by U.S.P.C.C.

The Lumberjacks

Cultúrlán

Celtic myth playing cards inspired by the rich Celtic pantheon of mythological Gods, Goddesses, and heroes

Cultúrlán

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Playing Cards

The images for the cards were inspired by the typical passengers who traveled in luxury style in the 1920s and 30s.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Playing Cards

Steam Ark Playing Cards

“Steam Ark” playing cards illustrated by Chet Phillips, 2014

Steam Ark Playing Cards

Creative Cards by DigitalAbstracts

For this pack a different designer collaborated for each individual card, resulting in a diverse and unique deck.

Creative Cards by DigitalAbstracts

Pirate Playing Cards

A recurring motif is the symbolism of life and death, playfully rendered in these marvellous cards, including plenty of sabres and skeletons!

Pirate Playing Cards

Uusi Blue Blood

Uusi Blue Blood designer playing cards by Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits, 2012.

Uusi Blue Blood

Maxpedition

Hard-Use Gear is used by military, police and outdoor professionals around the world whose lives are dependent on reliable and durable tools... ideal for when you're out and about, on top of a mountain, in your tent, away from the computer, back to basics, enjoying time with your friends having a game of cards!

Maxpedition

Political Figures

54 Welsh Politicians on a deck of playing cards...

Political Figures

The Big Deal

In ‘Patia Te Pere - The Big Deal’, Joan Gragg presents a first edition series of 1000 decks in which the characters, themes and patterns from traditional playing cards are replaced by Cook Islands cultural, environmental and societal icons.

The Big Deal

History of the War playing cards designed by Lino Palacio

History of the War" playing cards designed by the Argentinean cartoonist Lino Palacio (1903-1984) who was the author of unforgettable characters like Ramona, Don Fulgencio, Doña Tremebunda, Agapito and his shadow, Cicuta and many others.

History of the War playing cards designed by Lino Palacio

The Hemp Culture Playing Cards

There is an underlying element of subtle humour in these cleverly designed playing cards, gently questioning the issue of legality.

The Hemp Culture Playing Cards

Polaires - Foreign Legion Playing Cards

A Bridge-style deck featuring Foreign Legion paintings by Maitre Rosenberg.

Polaires - Foreign Legion Playing Cards

Hot Sauce Playing Cards

Each card shows an image of a bottle of hot Chilli Sauce (spelt 'chile' on the cards), a map of where the product is made, a heat gauge (see top left), plus amusing notes and information about the particular sauce.

Hot Sauce Playing Cards

4 Seasons Playing Cards

4 Seasons Playing Cards.

4 Seasons Playing Cards

Self-Nurturing Solitaire

Self-Nurturing Solitaire is a deck of cards designed to improve Self-Esteem.

Self-Nurturing Solitaire

Estate Playing Cards

Estate Playing Cards with five suits designed by Keith Wilson

Estate Playing Cards