Roman Empire
Roman Empire playing cards designed by G. Wyatt for Green Board Game Co Ltd.,
Roman Empire playing cards are published by the Green Board Game Co Ltd. The pack contains 52 imaginative images pertaining to the Romans, designed to enhance learning, plus two jokers of a single design. See the Box►
Above: Roman Empire playing cards manufactured by KZWP (Poland) for Green Board Game Co Ltd., 2011.
Above: the Illustrated Roman Empire box (2003 edition) click to zoom.
Note from Roddy Somerville
There was an earlier edition of these cards, dated 2003 on the tuck box and probably printed by Carta Mundi. In the earlier edition, all of the designs are in black and white. In the later edition (shown above), some of the designs are the same (but in colour), while others are completely different. Many of the captions have been altered. The Joker is not quite the same and the back design is also different, as is the box. The earlier edition was actually called "The Illustrated Roman Empire playing cards" - RS.
Above: cards from the 2003 edition with designs in black and white, probably printed by Carta Mundi. Courtesy Roddy Somerville.
By Matt Probert
United Kingdom • 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.
Activity for Roman Empire
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Learning to play Cribbage
I learned to pay cribbage when I was very young, aged around six or seven.
Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.
English Heritage
52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.
Great inventions playing cards
Great inventions playing cards designed by Gary Wyatt, United Kingdom, 2011.
Ethics Education playing cards
Ethics Education playing cards produced by the Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London, ...
Ancient Egypt playing cards
Fully illustrated set of cards depicting various aspects of Ancient Egyptian life and culture.
War on AIDS
War on AIDS playing cards published by ActionAid, United Kingdom, c. 2004.
Transformation Cards for Christmas
Hand-drawn Transformation cards, c.1870.
Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables playing cards by I. Kirk, c.1759.
Ken McCarthy
An unknown deck by Ken McCarthy, c.2018.
Pantheon or Heathen Mythology
Pantheon or Heathen Mythology cards for instruction of youth, c.1770.
Waddington’s 1940 Trade Brochure
Waddington’s 1940 Trade Brochure.
University of Essex
Playing Cards produced for the University of Essex during 2005-2007.
Prime Arts
Prime Arts Playing Cards were published in 2004 featuring the work of contemporary artists, illustra...
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
“Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels” playing cards based on the cult film, 1999.
Monsters
A collective of artists known as Monster Illustration produced a deck entitled “Monsters” in 2004.
19: 19th Century Breaks with Tradition - Unusual versions of the Standard English Pattern
The centuries-long tradition of English court cards was subject to misinterpretation and in some cas...
14: Back Designs
A few examples of the many interesting back designs.
Relief of Vienna
“Relief of Vienna” tri-centenary pack, 1983
The History of Playing Cards
Playing cards appear in European records in the late 14th century, but their earlier history lies fu...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
