Nintendo deck with Medieval theme
Courts in medieval costume holding both French and Italian/Spanish suit-signs.
There are in fact only five principal illustrations in this pack as the courts are identical within each suit. The figures on the courts are in medieval costume and hold French suit-signs at one end of each card and Italian/Spanish suit-signs at the other. On the Spades suit is a knight in armour, on the Clubs suit a squire, on the Diamonds suit a merchant, and on the Hearts suit the lady of the castle. A jester playing the lute can be found on each Joker. On the back are two crusaders, each holding a shield and a lance. This is one of the scarcer of the early Nintendo packs as it was issued in an edition of just 2,250 packs.
Above: deck with Medieval theme made by Nintendo PC Co. Ltd, Kyoto, Japan, 1971. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers in plastic box marked “NP” (for Nissan Palsus). Size: 61 x 87 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Playing cards with prints by Sumio Kawakami
Woodblock print designs created by Sumio Kawakami in 1938-9, each card having a different illustrati...
Kyoto Souvenir Deck
Kyoto Souvenir playing cards by Nintendo aimed at the up and coming tourist industry, 1950s.
Seiko fashion cards
Men's and ladies fashion playing cards published for the Seiko Corporation by Nintendo, Japan, 1971....
Nippon Beer
Nippon Beer brewery playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan, 1960s.
Chandelier No. 55 (Nintendo)
Standard international pattern playing cards made in occupied Japan, c.1950.
Loco Jumbo playing cards
54 different colour photographs of steam locomotives from around the world.
Haig Whisky
Japanese advertising pack for Haig Scotch whisky with modified international courts.
Kawasaki Trump
Humorous publicity pack for Kawasaki featuring some of their many products.
Maxim playing cards
Publicity pack from Nintendo for Maxim freeze dried coffee.
Ukiyo-E (Nintendo)
Classic examples of Ukiyo-E painting.
Salmon playing cards
13 colour photographs showing the life cycle of the salmon by Nintendo, Japan.
Crazyrider playing cards
Stylised portrayal of rock musicians from the 1980s.
Unimol playing cards
Advertising pack for a pharmaceutical company, with brightly coloured courts.
Torys Western Cards
Promotional pack for a brand of Japanese whisky, featuring comic Wild West characters.
Laser Clay playing cards
Pack promoting the Laser Clay Shooting System created by Nintendo in 1973.
Fujitsu playing cards
Colourful advertising pack for Fujitsu Limited, reminiscent of the flower power/psychedelic era.
Back to Country
Advertising playing cards for a Japanese fashion house, with reversed colours.
Ainu culture
A terrific deck of cards made by Nintendo c.1979 with original designs on every card showing the Ain...
Kabufuda
Kabufuda playing cards manufactured by Nintendo, Japan
Hanafuda Flower Cards
Japanese Flower Cards (Hanafuda) made by Nintendo, Japan, 2008.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
