Playing Card Suits
Playing cards suits have evolved from the earliest Chinese money-based cards into the suit symbols we find around the world today, including the various European suit-systems (Italian and Spanish, Germanic and Swiss, French and English). There have also been variant, non-standard or experimental suit systems. Articles also include information on different suits used in modern decks, such as those with five suits and variants of traditional designs.
16: European Standard Playing Cards
A brief survey of the different types of standard cards to be found in Continental Europe.
African Renaissance Deck
African Renaissance Deck published for Nkosi's Haven, South Africa, 2000.
Army & Navy
Andrew Dougherty’s Army & Navy deck from the Civil War era, c.1865.
Baraja Marinera
‘Baraja Marinera’ designed by Francisco Javier San Juan, published by Asescoin (Madrid), 1995
Bischofszell
Advertising pack for the food producer Bischofszell, designed by Heinz Looser-Brenner, with non-standard suits.
Carte Bolognesi
New designs reinforcing Bologna’s reputation as the gastronomic capital of Italy.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Czech Nationalistic playing cards
During the 19th century growing nationalist sentiment led to a rejection of Austro-Hungarian culture in favour of that of the native Czech people. One outcome from this movement was a ‘Nationalistic’ pack of playing cards painted by Emanuel Neumann.
Estate Playing Cards
Estate Playing Cards with five suits designed by Keith Wilson
Five Suit Bridge
Five Suit Bridge was invented in Vienna in 1937 by Walter W. Marseille and Dr. Paul Stern.
Hindooly
Hindooly published by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd with four newly designed suits, c.1904.
Il Quinto Seme
An Italian pack with a fifth suit of “amici” (“friends”).
Infirrera
Italo-Portuguese-suited cards by Andrea Infirrera with the arms of Malta, 1693.
Juego de Naipes Andalusí
Andalusian playing cards designed by Marifé Montoya Carrillo with booklet by Jorge Lirola Delgado, 2012.
Laughing Made Easy
a Victorian card game published by D. Ogilvy.
Le Burling
1960s pack from Annecy with non-standard suits all connected with the office.
Marcello Morandini
Modern designs by Italian artist Marcello Morandini using the simplest of forms and colours.
Master of the Playing Cards
Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455
Master PW Circular Cards
Master PW Circular Playing Cards: roses, columbines, carnations, parrots and hares... everyday objects evoking life and fertility.
New Orleans Suits
New Orleans Suits playing cards designed by Eddie Tebbe, USA, 1999.