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Playing cards have been with us since the 14th century, when they first entered popular culture. Over the centuries packs of cards, in all shapes and sizes, have been used for games, gambling, education, conjuring, advertising, fortune telling, political messages or the portrayal of national or ethnic identity. All over the world, whatever language is spoken, their significance is universal. Their popularity is also due to the imaginative artwork and graphic design which is sometimes overlooked, and the “then & now” of how things have changed.

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Browsing keyword:

military

16 Articles

Sergeant-Major

Sergeant-Major card game devised by W.G.Smith

Sergeant-Major

Anma US Armed Forces

Anma US Armed Forces, 1942.

Anma US Armed Forces

Naval and Military Families

Naval and Military Families produced by Prince and Princess Louis of Battenberg, printed by Ernst Nister of Nuremberg, c.1905-10.

Naval and Military Families

On Guard

On Guard military card game published by J. Jaques & Son, c.1880.

On Guard

Patriotic Misfitz

Patriotic Misfitz published by C.W Faulkner & Co, Ltd, c.1906.

Patriotic Misfitz

Victory

“Victory” by Pepys Games, a splendid game with caricatures of British and German leaders, published in 1940.

Victory

Cavalry Game

The “Cavalry Game” manufactured by Thomas de la Rue & Co Ltd, c.1900-10.

Cavalry Game

Ordnance Recognition

Ordnance Recognition Playing Cards cards designed to help people at risk from unexploded bombs

Ordnance Recognition

ARRCO

ARRCO Playing Card Co., Chicago, c.1935 - c.1970s.

ARRCO

Global Unrest Playing Cards

Global Unrest uses a traditional playing card style mixed with a WWII military twist..

Global Unrest Playing Cards

Bavarian Military Cards

The King of Acorns is supposed to represent Prince Otto; the King of Leaves is Maximilian II; the King of Bells is Ludwig II; the King of Hearts is Ludwig I wearing a general's uniform. The court cards are all male, but some of the numeral cards depict women.

Bavarian Military Cards

Anheuser-Busch Army & Navy

This deck is commonly known as the “Anheuser-Busch Spanish-American War deck”, issued at the end of the war.

Anheuser-Busch Army & Navy

26th Yankee Division

“26th Yankee Division Playing Cards” was designed by Alban B. Butler, Jr and printed by the Press of the Woolly Whale, New York, in 1933.

26th Yankee Division

Army & Navy No.303

Over the years eight different Aces of Spades were used with this brand and the Joker was also modified several times.

Army & Navy No.303

Army No.303

The Joker is particularly persuasive, whilst the Ace of Spades has a battle scene involving artillery, with Navy ships in the distance and the statue of the goddess of Freedom in the middle.

Army No.303

Soldaten Tarock

Piatnik was known for their magnificent quality of chromo-lithographic printing, and this facsimile, or reprint, of “Soldaten Tarock No. 217” is virtually as magnificent as the original.

Soldaten Tarock