Hong Kong
A large proportion of the world's souvenir and pin-up playing cards originate from Hong Kong.
Playing Cards from Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese Playing Cards
It might be fair to say that more people in this world play with Chinese cards than any other type. The Chinese took their own cards with them wherever they traded or travelled in the East and we find Chinese cards not only on the mainland but also in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, North Borneo and Vietnam.
Above: Chinese 'Domino Cards' imported into Hong Kong containing small traditional symbols emblematic of the blessings of life. Domino cards, deriving as they do from the 21 throws of a pair of dice, could be descended from the earliest known playing cards. See also: Double Happiness Domino Cards Double Elephant brand Four Colour cards.
Above: modern Chinese KR brand Mahjong cards with geometric pattern on the back, manufactured by Qingyuan Wan Qi Poker Products Co., Ltd. and also marketed through their partner company in Hong Kong See also: Malaysian Mahjongg Cards
Souvenir Playing Cards
A large proportion of the world’s souvenir playing cards originate from Hong Kong, many manufactured by the Windmill Playing Card Co. For example, see: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.
Above: Hong Kong Souvenir playing cards produced in Hong Kong by EDC Distribution Ltd. see more →
Children’s Playing Cards
Above: miniature ‘Happy Families’ set, 40 cards, ‘Emu’ brand, made in Hong Kong.
Left: 'Mini-Poker' miniature cartoon character playing cards made in China, based on comics and computer games. Purchased in Hong Kong, price: HK$21.00. see more →
See also: Naipe Briscia • Oriana Shipping cards→
Vintage Pin-up Playing Cards
A large number of pin-up playing cards originate from Hong Kong, such as GAIETY 54 Models Adult Playing Cards etc.
Above: aimed at English-speaking audiences, the left-hand set shown above is called ‘Honey Brand Superior Quality Excellent Universal Models Colour Pictures’ and contains 52 cards + 2 Jokers. The right-hand set is called ‘Fortune Brand’ and purports to depict “52 art studies representing outstanding types of beauty. As sparkling and refreshing as a mountain stream, each subject is the result of painstaking research... acclaimed as TRULY works of art by connoisseurs the world over”. Produced in Hong Kong.
Street Sellers
Above: street market selling Chinese manufactured playing cards in Hong Kong, 2014. Cards are available of every description including Osama Bin Laden, Steve Jobs, Madonna, Titanic, Superman, Batman, President Putin, President Obama, girl pin-ups, Chinese bank notes, etc. Photo by Adam Wintle.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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Graham Clayton
14 January 2024, 01:17That Gaiety set brought back some memories - I'll admit to having a pack in high school when I was about 13 or 14 LOL. Although the cards were printed, I presume the models were photographed elsewhere? Do any names exist for any of the Gaiety modells?