Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
Marine Lives of Maldives
Souvenir deck from The Maldives depicting marine life in the Indian Ocean.
Souvenir of Kos
Souvenir playing cards from the Greek island of Kos, published by Eurocard. Each card has a different scene, with many Greek and Roman antiquities and archaeological treasures.
Gemaco
‘Gemaco’ playing cards produced for the Princess Cruises Casino.
Manchester United Playing Cards
Deck produced for Manchester United Football Club published in 2006.
Folklore
“Folklore” by Altenburger Spielkarten Fabrik, c.1982
Penang Souvenir
Souvenir of Penang with a different photograph on every card, manufactured by Yong Guan Heng & Co, Penang, Malaysia.
Souvenir from Crete
Souvenir from Crete - 54 full colour playing cards © Editions Eurocard.
Sense of Bulgaria
Stylish Bulgarian souvenir playing cards with a different photo on every card, c.2000-2010.
Starlight
‘Starlight’ playing cards - brightening the lives of seriously ill children - published by Simon Lucas Bridge Supplies Ltd.
Chinese Dragon Robes
Deck featuring 54 different images of Chinese Dragon Robes that emperors, empresses and royal family members wear on important occasions.
Nana Poker
Every card carries a different cartoon image in the Manga style, expressing moods and emotions.
Abbey Playing Cards
Abbey Playing Cards made in Belgium by La Turnhoutoise, c.1950s.
Screen Legends
‘Screen Legends’ playing cards published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Hello Kitty
Waddington’s “Hello Kitty” themed deck produced in 2009.
Hornby Playing Cards
Hornby Playing cards are a retro deck designed and produced by Wild and Wolf copyright 2011.
Arthur Lee & Sons Ltd
Advertising deck produced for Arthur Lee and Sons Ltd of Sheffield by Thomas De la Rue around 1958.
Permalon Ltd
Miniature playing cards advertising "Perma" smoking-related products featuring the "Perma Girl" on the backs and Joker.
Wild Flowers of America
"Discover Wildflowers of America Playing Cards" manufactured by Carta Mundi (US), and created by Mark Hamilton and Sea to Sky Photography.
Playboy Fragrances, 2010
In 2010 Playboy Fragrances (Coty) released a 'gaming' set promotion comprising two decks of identical cards, one set of five dice and poker chips.
Happy Families No.5367
Tower Press “Happy Families” No.5367
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
“Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels” playing cards based on the cult film, 1999.
Rococo No.2130
Piatnik: Rococo No.2130 playing cards designed by Prof. Kuno Hock, c.1975
Binary Playing Cards
Promotional deck for Honeywell Computers by Brown & Bigelow c.1968 with the cards marked in binary notation
Southern Pacific Souvenir
Southern Pacific Souvenir of the Golden West playing cards - Sunset, American Canyon and Shasta Routes - published by the Interstate Company exclusively for Southern Pacific News Service, c.1915.
Modern Aces of Spades
Many modern aces of spades are anonymous so that, in the absence of any other information, the collector has difficulty deciding who made them.
Niagara Falls Souvenir
Niagara Falls Souvenir Playing Cards copyrighted 1901 by the Niagara Playing Card Co. Buffalo NY PO Box 795.
Souvenir of Scotland
52 Selected Views of Scotland produced for United Cigar & Tobacco Co. Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd.
Panama Canal Souvenir
Souvenir of Panama playing cards by USPCC 6th Edition produced in 1923.
Mao Zedong & International Friends
Playing cards celebrating the story of the Chinese leader and statesman Chairman Mao / Mao Zedong & International Friends.
Première Guerre Mondiale
“Première Guerre Mondiale 1914-1918” playing cards published by Éditions J.C. Dusserre (Maitres Cartiers Boéchat Frères), Paris.
DC Comics Originals
Waddingtons ‘DC Comics Originals’ deck from 2014 featuring ‘Batman’,‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Justice League’ and ‘Superman’
Monty Python
Monty Python playing cards marketed by ‘re:creation’ and made in China.
Eldar by Memco
‘Eldar’ upholstery fabrics advertising deck by Middle East Manufacturing Co of Beirut, Lebanon, c.1960.
Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear playing cards designed by Peter Wood for Lyons Quickbrew Tea.
Wallace & Gromit
Wallace & Gromit playing cards published by Marks & Spencer, 2009.
Olympics 2012
Each card features a representation of a different sport at the London 2012 Olympic or Paralympic games.
Lion Brand No.1492 : Jet Fuel
Advertising deck for "Jet" fuels, and "Lion Brand" No.1429 manufactured in Belgium by Biermans, 1960s.
Mr. Men™
Mr. Men™ & Little Miss™ playing cards by Roger Hargreaves
Star Wars
‘Star Wars’ playing cards produced by Character Games, 2002
Titicaca ® Playing Cards
Each card in this novelty deck, subtitled “Funny Card”, carries information about a prestigious or popular brand.
Toy Story 3
Animated playing cards featuring full colour illustrations of the Toy Story 3 characters.
Dr Who
Dr Who is a long-running science-fiction television series produced by the BBC, first airing in 1963.
Dr Who Adventures
‘Doctor Who Adventures’ is a weekly magazine aimed at younger readers. From time to time free playing cards are included with the magazine
Doctor Who
Doctor Who fan cards produced by Winning Moves under the Waddington's label, 2015.
Pneumatic c.1960-1965
De la Rue were producing Pneumatic cards with the “special graining for ease of handling” as late as early 1960s
Johnnie Walker Whisky
Johnnie Walker Whisky playing cards by Héron.
Fable III
“Fable III” playing cards created by Lionhead Studios depicting characters in the role-playing video game published by Microsoft Game Studios in 2010
History of Flight
“History of Aviation” playing cards published by Lo Scarabeo (2003) in which every card carries a painting representing an aspect of the history of powered flight.
Gibson Playing Card Co
Gibson Playing Card Co., Cincinnati and New York.
Play it Safe
“Play it Safe” health & safety playing cards.
Lanzarote Souvenir
Souvenir of Lanzarote playing cards by NEGSA (Naipes Comas).