Phone and smart cards
Phonecards with playing card designs.
A selection of phone and smart cards dating mainly from the 1990s featuring playing cards in one form or another. Those shown here are from Austria (Piatnik), Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan. The ones from Italy are the most interesting from a playing card collector’s point of view, having a playing-card motif on both sides.
NOTE: some of the cards shown have been scanned still sealed in their original cellophane wrapping.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
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.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
Related Articles
The making of a Bridge or Bézique marker
This post-mortem was carried out on a Bezique marker which was already falling apart.
Card Game Items and contemporary advertisements
It is often difficult to identify the origin, manufacturer and date of a card game boxed set and oth...
Will’s Cigarettes and Auction Bridge
In 1926 Will’s issued a set of 25 cigarette cards on Auction Bridge, presenting a range of hands ill...
A New Look at the Evolution of Whist Markers and Gaming Counters
This article aims to illustrate the evolution of whist and gaming counters from the 18th century to ...
Whist marker boxes
The Camden Whist marker was being advertised by Goodall and son in 1872 as a new product.
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods 1900-1930
Mystery Objects
I need help in identifying the purpose of this particular piece of card-playing kit.
Easter Playing Cards
Egg-shaped cards with rabbit designs in soft, pastel colours for Easter.
Possible early astrological playing cards
Two early woodcuts that I believe to be playing cards.
Nokia II
Advertising pack for the Finnish firm Nokia showing different mobile phones.
Orange: Great Value, Free Rewards
“Orange: Great Value, Free Rewards” promotional playing cards published by Orange UK.
Sweetnotes playing cards
Heart-shaped cards with sweet notes on all the backs.
Wine Labels
‘Pinta en Copas’ playing card-themed wine labels sold at Día Supermarkets.
Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones
Publicity pack featuring various historical figures “on the ‘phone”.
A New Year’s Greeting
in the form of playing cards
Fujitsu playing cards
Colourful advertising pack for Fujitsu Limited, reminiscent of the flower power/psychedelic era.
Kuhn Khan
There is little information available about the early twentieth century card game Kuhn Kahn. It firs...
Poker Patience
Poker Patience, according to an early 20th century author, was "introduced so recently as the autumn...
Piquet: the game and its artifacts
Piquet may be the oldest card game which is still played today with origins going back to early 16th...
Goodall & Son Patience Boxed Sets
Goodall & Son produced a huge variety of Patience Boxed Sets at different times and for different co...
The Evolution of Whist and Bridge Boxed Sets, 1870s – 1930s
Boxed sets of cards, markers, scorers and rule booklets have been around for many decades. Some of t...
Bezique Markers, 1860-1960
Bezique is a two-player melding and trick-taking game. Dr. Pole introduced Bezique to England in 186...
Phone and smart cards
Phonecards with playing card designs.
Marie and Laurent’s Wedding
Wedding invitation and thank you card in the form of playing cards. France, 2019.
The Jovial Cards
Publicity items for a group of entertainers, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, 1911.
Dondorf related ephemera
A few items used for advertising or displaying Dondorf playing card products.
C.L.Wüst Poster Stamps
A set of advertising poster stamps for C.L.Wüst playing cards.
Radio Banker
Radio Banker by John Waddington Ltd for Marconiphone Co Ltd.
Wrappers
Playing cards were traditionally sold inside paper wrappers, which were usually thrown away.
Leather Card Case Patent Application
In 1932, a patent was granted to Colin Hart and George Franklin for a leather case in the form of a ...
Patience Cards and their Boxes
Patience Cards and their Boxes by Tony Hall.
Cigar Bands
A collection of 24 cigar bands with miniature playing cards.
68: Playing cards in glass
My wife and I have recently commissioned a unique pair of stained glass windows for our home.
67: Adverts and related material after 1900
The final page of material relating to playing cards from British periodicals.
66: Adverts and related material 1862-1900
Some further material relating to cards from nineteenth and twentieth century periodicals.
Sony IBC’86
Sony IBC’86 complimentary pack showcasing latest electronic and digital equipment as it stood in 198...
Astronaut
Astronaut card game published by Pepys Series (Castell Bros) celebrating the arrival of space travel...
47: Welch’s postcards and De La Rue’s redrawing
There are a number of court card designs that have never actually been produced as cards. It's a s...
Giffgaff
Giffgaff mobile network playing cards, 2015.
Magic Poker Cards
“Magic Poker Cards” are often found inside Christmas crackers along with party hats, puzzles and jok...