Ancient Civilisations

Ancient Civilisations playing cards were designed by Celedonio Perellón and first produced by Heraclio Fournier, Spain, in 1973. The pack is dedicated to four great empires of ancient times, the first cycle of civilised history, largely based on agriculture and governed by the high priest in a theocratic role. These cultures had developed a political framework and also left us the earliest written commentaries of humanity.

♣ Ancient Egypt   ♦ Sumeria

♠ Syria   ♥ Persia

Above: Ancient Civilisations playing cards designed by Celedonio Perellón, manufactured by Heraclio Fournier, 1973, 1975 & 1980. Produced in single or double boxed sets, 52 cards + 2 jokers + title card + explanatory leaflet.

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

View Articles

Curator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.