Library Lovers
Library Lovers playing cards published by Word Nerd Games, 2016.
Published by Word Nerd Games and funded through Kickstarter in 2016. The author is “a writer and former librarian from the UK who loves toys, games and messing about. I write children's books for a living but often found my creative mind wondering towards games design”. For more information see here►
The 54 cards are illustrated with vintage images from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s used to promote and advertise books and libraries to the public and encourage recreational reading.
Above: Library Lovers playing cards published by Word Nerd Games and funded through Kickstarter, 2016.
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022 • Contact
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Solo Whist
A distinctive British trick-taking game that emerged in the mid-19th century.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here
Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.
Dorset Dialect Trails
‘Dorset Dialect Trails’ playing cards, United Kingdom, 2015.
Whist writers and their pseudonyms
Why did so many early writers about whist and other card games feel the need to write under a pseudo...
Sherlock Holmes illustrated playing cards
Sherlock Holmes playing cards with illustrations by Sidney Paget, United Kingdom
Shakespeare finely illustrated playing cards
Shakespeare playing cards with illustrations by Sir John Gilbert RA, United Kingdom.
Vanity Fair 1868-1914
Vanity Fair 1868-1914 playing cards published by Billy Bembo, United Kingdom, 1995.
Cryptic Cards
Cryptic cards created by Immy Smith, United Kingdom, 2017
Agatha Christie Playing Cards
Agatha Christie playing cards produced by Planet Three Collection, United Kingdom, c. 2004.
Sixty Penguin Years Playing Cards
In celebration of 60 years of publishing Penguin Books Ltd, 1995.
Alice in Wonderland by Dominic Murphy
Alice in Wonderland playing cards produced by Dominic Murphy.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, 1999.
Alice in Wonderland by Cultzilla
Alice in Wonderland 'Curious' playing cards by Cultzilla.
Dickens Character Collection
Dickens Character Collection published for a London Casino as a promotional gift.
Jonathan Swift and his World
“Jonathan Swift and his World” playing cards designed by Dan Sperrin and produced by David Westnedge...
Eneida
This pack was designed by Oksana Ternavska and first published in 2011 as a supplement to the book "...
Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables playing cards by I. Kirk, c.1759.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
