The History of Playing Cards
Suicide King
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by Simon Wintle
The King of Hearts, holding a sword behind his head, is sometimes nicknamed the “Suicide King”. He can be seen to derive from a late medieval design showing a King wielding a battle axe.
The Beggars’ Opera
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by Simon Wintle
The Beggars’ Opera Playing Cards were first published in 1728. The cards carry the words and music of the songs from Gay’s opera, which was intended as a parody of current Italian works. The music was taken from many popular tunes of the day.
The Combination of Images and Text on early playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
When playing cards have titles or legends these reference a written/literary tradition of some form. It connects the image to a wider cultural sphere, extending the visual impact.
The History of Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Playing Cards have been around in Europe since the 1370s. Some early packs were hand painted works of art which were expensive and affordable only by the wealthy. But as demand increased cheaper methods of production were discovered so that playing cards became available for everyone...
The Parisian Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
The “Parisian Tarot”, early 1600s, with imagery and design synthesizing several influences.
The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440
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by Simon Wintle
The Princely Hunting Pack, c.1440/45, is attributed to Konrad Witz and his workshop in Basle.
The Steamboat Brand
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by Rod Starling
The theme of steamboats navigating up and down the Mississippi also extended to the cotton plantations alongside the river and to African American people employed therein who were sometimes depicted on the special Joker card.
Trappola cards from Prague
15 Trappola playing cards possibly made by Johann Ziser of Prague, c1760.
Trevisane pattern
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by Simon Wintle
The double-ended version of the ‘Trevisane’ pattern originated in the early 19th century.
Triplicate No.18
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by Rod Starling
Dougherty first secured a patent for “Triplicates” in 1876, a novel type of indices with a miniature card in the top left-hand corner (and bottom right).
Tyrolean Playing Cards
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by Matt Probert
Facsimile of patriotic 1878 Tyrolean playing cards published by Piatnik in 1992.
William Warter
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by Simon Wintle
William Warter's Proverbial Cards, which carry illustrations of old English proverbs, were first published in 1698.
XV Century Catalan playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
XV Century Catalan Playing Cards, featuring four female Sotas, four Aces and four cards from the suit of batons.
XV Century Italian Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Cards from a pack of an early form of north Italian playing cards, with the swords back-to-back and curved outwards. Believed to be Venetian, dated 1462.
