Woman’s Hour
The Woman’s Hour playing cards published by David Westnedge, 1996.
To commemorate their 50th anniversary in 1996, BBC Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour” produced this pack of playing cards to celebrate 54 exceptional women, from Mae West to Cleopatra, drawn by Nicky Taylor. The choices for the faces were made by the Woman’s Hour team and the finished pack was published by David Westnedge Ltd. See the Information Card►
Above: the Woman’s Hour playing cards published by David Westnedge Ltd, London, 1996. 52 cards + 2 jokers + extra card in box. A short biography of each woman accompanies the pack.
See the Box►
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 Woman’s Hour
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Dr Who Cyber Adventures
Futuristic techno-themed playing cards with circuitry and metallic Cybermen.
British Monarchs
Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th
Playing Politics 2010
“Playing Politics ’10: With no expenses spared” featuring caricatures by Oliver Preston, published b...
Playing Politics ’92: Pack of lies
Playing Politics ’92: Pack of lies with caricatures by Grant Robertson, UK.
British Political Images
Playing cards depicting British political images from the Bodleian Libraries.
9-11-89 passé
Caricatures of East German politicians following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Better drug laws now
“Better drug laws now” campaign playing cards issued by Release, United Kingdom.
Sky News Politipack
Cartoons of British political figures on playing cards published to promote Sky News' coverage of El...
House of Commons Playing Cards
House of Commons playing cards designed to serve as a civic guide to the UK Parliament.
Liberal Democrats Playing Cards
Liberal Democrat MPs shown on playing cards at the time of the annual Party Conference in September ...
Jonathan Swift and his World
“Jonathan Swift and his World” playing cards designed by Dan Sperrin and produced by David Westnedge...
Naked Truth
“Naked Truth” Playing Politics with caricatures by Jason Pratt, 1997
Jungle Parties
“Jungle Parties” or “Playing Politics '87” designed & drawn by Patrick Cuenot.
Churchill in WW2
Churchill ‘Walking with Destiny’ playing cards published by the Imperial War Museum.
Pack of Royals
Willie Rushton’s “Pack of Royals” featuring caricatures of the Royal Family, 1995.
Playing Politics
“Playing Politics” or “Cabinet Shuffle” specially commissioned by the Victoria and Albert Museum, 19...
Deakin’s 3rd edition
Deakin’s Political Playing Cards 3rd edition, c.1888.
Le Jeu des Alliés
“Le Jeu des Alliés” manufactured by Mesmaekers N.V., Turnhout, 1945.
Die Neue ÖVP
Promotional deck for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) printed by Piatnik, 1996.
Kimberley 1892
William Kimberley applied for a patent in respect of his improved playing cards in February 1892 and...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
Peter Burnett
19 November 2025, 09:47