Dr Who
Dr Who is a long-running science-fiction television series produced by the BBC, first airing in 1963.

Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a long-running science-fiction television series produced by the BBC, first airing in 1963, being shelved in the 1980s before returning in a modified format in 2005 after a prolonged public campaign. A number of fan decks have been produced as merchandise by the BBC, these include the ‘Doctor Who Series’ 1, 2 & 3 decks manufactured by Carta Mundi in 2009. Also, special themed decks with novelty suits given away free with Dr Who magazines produced by the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, have appeared from time to time see more →

‘Doctor Who Series’ 1, 2 & 3 playing cards
Three series of ‘Doctor Who’ playing cards captured the moments from the different episodes. Series 1 features 54 illustrated collectors playing cards featuring the ninth incarnation of the Doctor (Christopher Ecclestone) and introducing Rose Tyler, his companion in time and space. Series 2 & 3 feature the tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and his companions coming face to face with the terrors of the Universe.

Collector’s Edition Doctor Who playing cards, 1996
Travelling through time & space on board the ‘Tardis’ (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space), the Doctor and his companions began their adventures on November 23rd 1963. Since then the nation’s favourite time traveller has been through nine transformations, employed a number of assistants and fought many foes. This pack published by Cards Inc. in 1996 shows pictures of the successive Doctors, assistants, Daleks & monsters as they evolved over the decades.


See also: ‘Doctor Who Adventures’ playing cards →

By Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012
I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
Related Articles

The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge
A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.

Waddington’s faux books
Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.

Double Dummy Bridge
In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.

Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.

Boddingtons Bitter playing cards
Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.

OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner
Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.

Kids Fun Box playing cards
Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.

Tangle Foot Ale
Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.

Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

Agent Provocateur
Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.

Danao Tiāngōng Puke
Children’s playing cards based on the 1961 Chinese animated feature film 大闹天宫 (Havoc in Heaven).

Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...

The Decadent Deck
Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.

Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.

Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days