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.
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
Bicycle Favole
Bicycle Favole playing cards featuring the designs of Victoria Francés, USA, 2013
Scaramouche
Scaramouche cartes à jouer with designs by Henri Favre, published by Le Triboulet, France.
Race Card
‘Race Card’ playing cards published by the Concept Card Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
UMass Amherst Libraries
UMass Amherst Libraries playing cards, USA, 2016
Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur
Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur: Heroes vs. Villains playing cards illustrated by Peter Wood, 2015.
Wagner’s “Ring” playing cards
Wagner’s “Ring” playing cards, with illustrations by Sir Arthur Rackham, published by Prospero Art, USA, 2010.
Famous Pirates (2006)
Famous Pirates playing cards with artworks, prints, artefacts & pirate sayings, USA, 2006.
Hawaiian playing cards
Hawaiian playing cards in the style of classic Hawaiian wood carvings, USA, 2015.
Het Nest Brouwerij
Het Nest Brouwerij playing cards from Turnhout, Belgium.
Bicycle EveRydAy zomBIES
Bicycle “EveRydAy zomBIES” playing cards with artwork by Rob Sacchetto, USA, 2013.
Bicycle Blue Collar / White Collar playing cards
Bicycle Blue Collar / White Collar playing cards, USA, 2014.
Celebrate Mickey
‘Celebrate Mickey’ commemorative playing cards: 75 years of fun, USA, 2003.
Bicycle Zombie playing cards
Bicycle Zombie playing cards with hints on how to survive a zombie attack, USA, 2012.
Bicycle Stained glass playing cards
Bicycle Stained glass playing cards adorned as multi-coloured stained glass, USA, c. 2018.