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The English Playing Card Society

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Promoting research into English card history since 1984. Members receive the EPCS magazine three times a year.

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Playing Card Courts

Courts

Most playing cards show sequences, such as an arithmetic series from 1 to 10, and a social, courtly hierarchy from King and Queen to the commander-in-chief, knight or even the foot soldier. These sequences are differentiated by different suit symbols. However, the traditional court hierarchies are sometimes customised or updated according to popular culture, niche markets, history, mythology or new social values such as unisex or feminism.

While traditional designs remain dominant, artists and designers began creating custom decks with unique court card designs, often for collectors or special editions.

Image Details Year Country Published
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