John Player Special
John Player Special non-standard playing cards created by the illustrator Nick Price, 1987
John Player Special
John Player Special non-standard playing cards created by the illustrator Nick Price, 1987. All cards are printed in red, gold, black & white with black borders. The aces show birds and leaves, the kings are mounted on horseback, the queens hold either a cat or a dog and the jacks are craftsmen, musicians or scientists. The pack is also known with gold borders and a matching back design.
Above: John Player Special non-standard playing cards featuring the charming designs of illustrator Nick Price, 1987. Printed in a limited edition by Carta Mundi.
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.
Activity for John Player Special
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.
Hamlet Cigars
Advertising deck for “Hamlet mild cigars”, a Benson & Hedges product.
Eurocell® playing cards
Promotional playing cards produced by Eurocell® (UPVC window, door, conservatory and roofline system...
Goldfish
Playing cards advertising the Goldfish credit card brand, c.1996.
Dundas & Wilson Deal Winners
“Deal Winners” promotional pack for Dundas & Wilson law firm.
Cigar Bands
A collection of 24 cigar bands with miniature playing cards.
Bucktrout & Co. Ltd
Half-sized cigarette playing cards published by Bucktrout & Co., Ltd (Guernsey) c.1930.
British Airways Concorde
British Airways Concorde playing cards made in Belgium by Carta Mundi, before 2003.
University of Essex
Playing Cards produced for the University of Essex during 2005-2007.
Tobacco advertising
Advertising decks made in Belgium by A. Van Genechten, 1960s.
Starlight
‘Starlight’ playing cards - brightening the lives of seriously ill children - published by Simon Luc...
Permalon Ltd
Miniature playing cards advertising "Perma" smoking-related products featuring the "Perma Girl" on t...
Gordon’s Gin
Gordon’s Gin branded playing cards themed with limes, lemons and ice cubes, 2000.
Theakston Brewery
Theakston Brewery advertising playing cards depicting old brewing traditions, tools and skills, desi...
De Reszke Cigarettes “What the Stars Say”
De Reszke Cigarettes “What the Stars Say” astrology cards issued by J. Milhoff & Co., 1934.
Standard Genoese
Van Genechten manufactured playing cards in various styles, including specially customised versions ...
Carreras Ltd Playing Cards and Dominoes, 1929
Carreras Ltd miniature playing cards and dominoes, 1929
Advertising deck for Carta Mundi
Advertising deck for Carta Mundi produced by Carta Mundi, 2001
Biermans for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru
Standard Genoese pattern with French indices made by Biermans for Cigarrillo Holiday and the Estanco...
Carreras Ltd Tobacco Advertising
Carreras issued a number of advertising packs, cigarette and trade cards, miniature packs, etc durin...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
Peter Burnett
19 November 2025, 09:47SavedSaved this article to Peter's Collection