The Art & Design of Playing Cards
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.
Alice in Wonderland by Jesús Blasco
Alice with artwork by Jesús Blasco, published by Lo Scarabeo, 2003.
Alice in Wonderland by Sasha Dounaevski
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by Simon Wintle
Alice in Wonderland playing cards designed by Sasha Dounaevski, 2018.
Ancient Civilisations
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by Simon Wintle
Ancient Civilisations playing cards designed by Celedonio Perellón, produced by Heraclio Fournier, 1973.
Arnold Schönberg
In around 1909 he created three sets of playing cards. His inventiveness was driven by a passion for rules, order and numbers.
Ases de la pintura / Masters of painting
Ases de la pintura / Masters of painting playing cards made by Naipes Comas, Spain, c.1990.
Banco for Air France, c.1952
Banco playing cards for Air France manufactured by Draeger Frères, c.1952.
Banque Nationale de Paris, c.1962
Special deck made for La Banque Nationale de Paris by Van Genechten, Turnhout, c.1962.
Baraja "Te Amo" cartoons by Serafín
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by Simon Wintle
Baraja 'Te Amo' con dibujos de Serafín en tirada de 500 ejemplares numerados, 48 naipes. Fabricado por Naipes Comas (Barcelona) 2002.
Baraja “Neoclásica”, Madrid, 1810
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by Simon Wintle
Baraja “Neoclásica” engraved by José Martínez de Castro, first published by Clemente Roxas, Madrid, 1810.
Baraja Cuauhtémoc
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by Simon Wintle
Baraja Cuauhtémoc published by Treviño Narro, Monterrey, Mexico Original artwork by P. X. Santaella featuring Aztec and other important pre-Columbian cultures.
Baraja Edad Media
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by Simon Wintle
Baraja Edad Media, fantasy Spanish-suited medieval playing cards published Mas-Reynals, Barcelona, 1993. Designed by M. Malé and illustrated by V. Maza.