Peter Burnett
Member since July 27, 2022I 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.
Les métiers et leurs protecteurs
“Les métiers et leurs protecteurs” playing cards published by Editions Dusserre, c. 1995.
Branle playing cards
‘Branle’ playing cards inspired by a 12th-century dance, produced by Noir Arts, USA, 2015.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” video game characters on playing cards, Japan, 2008
Umbrella Academy playing cards
Umbrella Academy playing cards created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, USA, 2019.
Mardi Gras playing cards
Mardi Gras playing cards illustrated by Dave Edgerly, USA, 2015
Romeo and Juliet playing cards
Romeo and Juliet playing cards illustrated by Belgian artist Virginie Carquin 2016.
Banjo playing cards
Banjo playing cards featuring the collection of Akira Tsumura, Japan, c. 1978.
Jane Austen playing cards
Jane Austen playing cards published by Prospero Art, USA, 2013.
Murphy Varnish pack
Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019
Pendleton playing cards
Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.
Aztec Codex playing cards
Aztec Codex playing cards illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, USA, ©2015.
Map of the world in full bloom
Map of the world in full bloom, USA, 2017
Know your deplorables
Photographs of political and media figures associated with the Presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021).
On-line offsite data backup
On-line offsite data backup publicity playing cards produced by The Bunker, United Kingdom, c. 2004.
Dorset Dialect Trails
‘Dorset Dialect Trails’ playing cards, United Kingdom, 2015.
Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)
Eclipse Comic playing cards is a reproduction of the first transformation pack printed in the USA in 1876 by F.H. Lowerre.
Old West Guns
Old West Guns playing cards containing information about firearms from the Old West, USA.
Clamcleats playing cards
Clamcleats playing cards for sailors designed by Celia Allison, New Zealand, 1986.
Around the world in 54 cards
“Around the world in 54 cards” hand-coloured transformation pack produced by Peter Wood, United Kingdom, 2008.
The Journey
‘The Journey’ limited edition playing cards produced by Peter Wood, UK, 2008.
Postillion Schafkopf
Postillion Schafkopf dedicated to the history of the German postal service.
Pretty Frills
‘Pretty Frills’ playing cards promoting curtain and blind accessories.
Centennial Olympic Games playing cards
Centennial Olympic Games playing cards celebrating the centenary of the modern Olympic Games, 1896-1996.
Malam playing cards
Malam playing cards created by Michael Muldoon, USA, 2015.
Kings of India playing cards
Kings of India playing cards depicting the four greatest dynasties of India.
Netter playing cards
Anatomical playing cards published by Elsevier, USA, 2017.
History of London illustrated playing cards
A catalogue in 54 cards of some of the treasures held within the Museum of London collections.
Ladbroke Sporting Casino
Ladbroke Sporting Casino caricature cartoon playing cards, U.K, c.2006.
Star Wars: a New Hope
‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, 2007.
American President Lines
American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.
Royal Hawaiian playing cards
Royal Hawaiian playing cards published by the Royal Hawaiian Playing Card Company, Honolulu.
Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6
Official souvenir pack showing 52 coloured exhibits from the New York World’s Fair, 1964-6.
Buffalo soldiers
“Buffalo soldiers” playing cards commemorating African American military men who helped change the face of America.
Century of Progress
‘Century of Progress’ Exposition playing cards produced by Western Playing Card Company, USA, 1933.
Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum
Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum souvenir playing cards, USA, 2012.
New York City souvenir
New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1925
California souvenir playing cards
California souvenir playing cards, USA, 1898 and 1907.
Nile Fortune cards
Nile Fortune cards no.68x published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1904.
Bicycle Tattoo
Bicycle Tattoo, USA, 2010
Seiko fashion cards
Men's and ladies fashion playing cards published for the Seiko Corporation by Nintendo, Japan, 1971.
Flora playing cards
Flora playing cards made by the Angel Playing Card Co., Kyoto, 1982.
Nippon Beer
Nippon Beer brewery playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan, 1960s.
Glico Almond Chocolate
Glico Almond Chocolate playing cards with designs by Izumi Tamai, produced by Nintendo, Japan.
Panty cards
Panty cards designed by Hide Takagaki, Japan, 1982.
Suzuki playing cards
Suzuki playing cards produced by Nintendo, Japan, 1978.
Kushimoto Marine Park
Kushimoto Marine Park souvenir playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan.
Motoveteráni
‘Motoveteráni’ playing cards featuring the photographs of Robert Sobčák, Czech Republic,
National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum with drawings by Stuart Black, United Kingdom, 1993.
Alaska scenic playing cards
Alaska scenic playing cards featuring scenes of Alaskan life, USA, c. 1960.
Révolution 1789-1989
Révolution 1789-1989, celebrating the bicentenary of the French revolution, France, 1989