Playing Cards for Consumer Advertising, Marketing & Promotion
Closely following the development of visual advertising in general, such as on labels, packaging, posters and TV commercials, advertising playing cards seek to find ways to associate products with our inner desires and longings, with our identity and who we want to be. Some packs are widely distributed as part of larger promotions, others are more exclusive. In some cases single cards are collected from inside the advertised product, thereby stimulating further sales to complete a full set.
Spanish Historical Characters playing cards, c.1896
Cards from the Spanish Historical Characters playing cards set printed by Litografía Madriguera (Barcelona), c.1896, which were inserted into packets of chocolate.
Spanish playing cards for Yerba Armiño
Spanish-suited playing cards for Yerba Armiño, anonymous manufacturer probably made in China.
Spanish suited pack for Nestlé
Spanish-suited pack produced by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for South America.
Specsavers playing cards
to help you see better when playing cards
Speelkaarten-Fabriek Nederland “Fortuna”
Speelkaarten-Fabriek Nederland for Royal West Indian Mail Service, c.1926
Standard Genoese
Van Genechten manufactured playing cards in various styles, including specially customised versions for commercial clients wishing to advertise their own brands on the cards.
Starlight
‘Starlight’ playing cards - brightening the lives of seriously ill children - published by Simon Lucas Bridge Supplies Ltd.
Strongbow ‘House of Horror’
‘House of Horror’ Halloween deck published by Strongbow cider, 2015.
Supermercados CHIP
Supermercados CHIP playing cards manufactured in Uruguay by Compañía General de Fósforos Montevideana, 1979
Taller 4
Spanish-suited playing cards by TALLER 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.2000.
Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear playing cards designed by Peter Wood for Lyons Quickbrew Tea.
The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards
A flicker pack with different backs, advertising the Saab 900 Convertible motor car.
The world’s smallest playing cards
Samye malen’kie v mire igral’nye karty / The world’s smallest playing cards
Theakston Brewery
Theakston Brewery advertising playing cards depicting old brewing traditions, tools and skills, designed in the style of early 18th century cards.
Titicaca ® Playing Cards
Each card in this novelty deck, subtitled “Funny Card”, carries information about a prestigious or popular brand.
Tobacco advertising
Advertising decks made in Belgium by A. Van Genechten, 1960s.
Topolino Fiat Cinquecento
Fully illustrated Italian Disney pack advertising the Fiat Cinquecento, made by Modiano, Trieste, Italy, 1993.
Trading Mart
‘Trading Mart’ playing cards published by RusJoker, St Petersburg, 2005.
Tungsram Playing Cards
Tungsram Playing Cards, Art Deco playing cards from Hungary
University of Essex
A deck of cards produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006.