Playing Card Backs

14: Back Designs
A few examples of the many interesting back designs.

59: Owen Jones (1809-74) and De La Rue
A selection of examples of Owen Jones's work printed by De La Rue.

Barribal Series
William H. Barribal (1873 - 1956) was a London artist who created the Waddingtons 'Barribal' playing cards series, which are avidly collected today.

Owen Jones (1809-1874)
Owen Jones (1809-1874) was a Welsh architect and interior designer who designed the backs of playing cards for Thomas de la Rue.

Playing Card Design
The playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size imposes some limitations there is an almost bewildering wealth and variety of designs in playing cards and their tuck boxes. The serious player requires design to be unobtrusive so that aesthetic considerations remain in the background. However, with modern manufacturing technology more eye-catching designs are becoming popular as gifts, collectibles and for their attractive appearance.

Waddington Back Designs
Waddington back designs found in John Berry's Archive volume, spanning from the 1920s to the 1940s.

Waddington’s Encore Series
Waddington’s Encore Series 1933.