Literature and Playing Cards

Wherever there is freedom of expression books, articles and other literary sources such as adventure stories, folk tales, historical or scientific literature have all been inspiration for artists, including designers of playing cards and educational games.

Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables playing cards by I. Kirk, c.1759.

Agatha Christie Playing Cards
Agatha Christie playing cards produced by Planet Three Collection, United Kingdom, c. 2004.

Alessandro Manzoni Centenary
Issued to mark the centenary of the death of Alessandro Manzoni, one of Italy’s greatest writers.

Alice in Wonderland (Thomas De la Rue version)
Alice in Wonderland card game based on original designs by Sir John Tenniel published by Thomas De la Rue & Co. Ltd, c.1900

Alice in Wonderland by Cultzilla
Alice in Wonderland 'Curious' playing cards by Cultzilla.

Alice in Wonderland by Dominic Murphy
Alice in Wonderland playing cards produced by Dominic Murphy.

Alice in Wonderland by Jesús Blasco
Alice with artwork by Jesús Blasco, published by Lo Scarabeo, 2003.

Alice in Wonderland by Prospero Art
Alice in Wonderland deck published by Prospero Art, USA, 2008.

Alice in Wonderland by Sasha Dounaevski
Alice in Wonderland playing cards designed by Sasha Dounaevski, 2018.

Alice in Wonderland Snap
Alice in Wonderland “Snap” 1 penny game from 1920s or 30s, made in Germany, anonymous manufacturer.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, 1999.

Arthurian by Kings Wild Project
Arthurian Playing Cards by Kings Wild Project, a luxury playing card deck designed by Jackson Robinson, inspired by the myths and legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Authors
Authors quartet game published by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.

Æsop’s fables tarot
French-suited Æsop’s fables tarot produced by Leipzig Industrie Comptoir, c.1800-1825.

Baraja El Quijote
Baraja El Quijote, facsimile of original deck designed by E. Pastor, reprinted by Naipes Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 1981.

Baraja Literaria
“Baraja Literaria” Spanish pack with cartoons by Serafín, published by Asescoin and manufactured by Naipes Comas, 2002.

Baudelaire playing card collection
Baudelaire playing card collection illustrated by Alméry Lobel-Riche and published by Lo Scarabeo in 2004.

Beatrix Potter’s Rummy
Beatrix Potter’s Rummy published by Gibsons Games, c.1985.

Biggles
Biggles card game published by Pepys Games in 1955 based on the popular books by Capt W E Johns.

Boekenkwartet
Boekenkwartet featuring illustrations from children's books, 1970s.