Karata playing cards
Karata playing cards produced in Nairobi, c. 1970.
This pack of rare cards was printed by Colourprint Ltd. for Ines May-Publicity, Nairobi, c. 1970. The cards are not laminated and feature Kenyan natives on the court cards and Jokers. Karata appears to be a card game commonly played in Kenya.
Above: The deck has 52 suited cards, including a beautiful Ace of Spades, plus 2 [identical] Jokers. The cards are slightly large bridge size, measuring 91mm x 59mm.
Another pack with identical courts and jokers, but with a different reverse and a smooth finish was published by the East African Wild Life Society, Nairobi.
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022 • Contact
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Mohegan Sun playing cards
Mohegan Sun playing cards published by Gemaco for Mohegan Sun casino.
Pendleton playing cards
Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.
Malam playing cards
Malam playing cards created by Michael Muldoon, USA, 2015.
Race Card
‘Race Card’ playing cards published by the Concept Card Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Hawaiian playing cards
Hawaiian playing cards in the style of classic Hawaiian wood carvings, USA, 2015.
African art playing cards
African art and symbolism on playing cards designed by John J. Beckvermit III, USA, 1994.
Pacific Northwest native Indian masks
Pacific Northwest native Indian masks with artwork by Margaret Parrott, USA, 1992.
Maori playing cards
Maori playing cards from New Zealand.
Africa playing cards
According to the United Nations there are 54 countries on the continent of Africa
Drum playing cards
Drum playing cards depicting demographically diverse Africans of different ethnicities.
African Renaissance Deck
African Renaissance Deck published for Nkosi's Haven, South Africa, 2000.
Traditional Nomadic Life of Mongolia
Playing cards depicting paintings of Traditional Nomadic Life of Mongolia.
Playing cards from Suriname
Playing cards reflecting the history and culture of Suriname, on the northeastern coast of South Ame...
Birds of Southern Africa
Sapra Studio Original playing cards beautifully illustrated with birds of Southern Africa.
Tanisa cartes à jouer
“Tanisa cartes à jouer” published by Colormad, Madagascar.
Habesha playing cards
Habesha playing cards published by “Ethiopian Reflection”
Hotel Lena
Hotel Lena playing cards published by Bichik in Yakutsk in 2001.
East African Playing Cards
East African Playing Cards by Heraclio Fournier S.A., 1957.
Kenya Tribes Playing Cards
“Kenya Tribus” playing cards published by Sapra, Mount Kenya Sundries Ltd, Nairobi, 1991
Mongolian Playing Cards
Mongolian Playing Cards.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
