Anonymous Novelty Cards

Published June 14, 2010 • Updated December 14, 2021

Miniature novelty playing cards from the late 1940s or early 1950s with a charm of their own. Probably published as small prizes at fairground or seaside amusement arcades.

Above: miniature novelty playing cards from the late 1940s or early 1950s with a charm of their own. Probably published as small prizes at fairground or seaside amusement arcades (such as the 'Rotary Merchandiser'), the cards measure 50mm by 29mm and were produced with red or blue background. Images and nostalgia submitted by Peter Ford.

Above: a dual-deck pack of miniature playing cards, one red one blue, and the box clearly states "Made in England". 52 cards + joker in each pack, very cheaply made, square cut. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

Fairylite • Empire Made

Fairylite miniature novelty playing cards from the late 1940s or early 1950s

Above: "Fairylite" containing 52 cheaply-made cards + one joker. The ace of spades is different but they are in the same style of box with the legend "Junior Playing Cards" top and bottom. These are "Empire made" so there may be a time period over which production shifted. Unusually, it looks like they printed sheets of each single card and then cut them out, rather than sheets of complete decks. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

Above: another anonymous "British Made" children's pack, late 1940s or early 1950s, containing 52 cards + one joker. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

Miniature “Perma” playing cards promoting smoker’s requisites, probably from just after WW2 c.1948 more→

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.