Proverbs and Maxims
Naipe Infantil Gauchito children’s miniature playing cards with Proverbs and Maxims on the reverse,
Children’s miniature playing cards with Proverbs and Maxims, Montevideo, c.1928
"Naipe Infantil Gauchito" children’s miniature playing cards with Proverbs and Maxims on the reverse, 40 cards. Similar packs were published showing football players and popular heroes and celebrities. Cards of this type are examples of playing cards used for educational purposes besides providing entertainment value to young people. In order to complete the set, the children no doubt had to trade with their friends and organise their collections. The virtuous maxims would have been reinforced at school during copper-plate handwriting lessons.
Right: box from a later edition with more modern court card design →
Educational or Instructional playing cards have been around since the 16th century. See also: Logica Memorativa by Thomas Murner, 1507 • Robert Morden's Map Cards, 1676 • Arms of English Peers, 1686 • Proverbial Cards, 1698 • Mechanical Instruments, c.1700 • Geistliche Karten, 1718 • Cartes Questions-Devinettes, c.1840 • Happy Families • Jaques' Illustrated Proverbs, c.1885 • Spanish Instructional Cards, 1888 • Japanese Uta Garuta • Children's Maxim Cards from Uruguay • Indian Alphabetical Cards, c.1940 • Wild Flower Sevens card game, 1960 • Snip Snap, 1968 • Learn Thai Playing Cards, 2009 •
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 Proverbs and Maxims
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.
Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!
Iroha Karuta
Traditional Japanese matching game played mainly by children.
Panto People
Panto People published by E. S. & A. Robinson, c.1930s.
Hats-Off!
Hats-Off! miniature card game published by E. S. & A. Robinson, c.1930s.
Zoo-Boots
Zoo-Boots published by E. S. & A. Robinson, c.1930s.
Proverbs
Proverbs by Norvic Mill, 1920s.
Lever Brothers miniatures
Two miniature card games promoting Vim Scouring Powder and Sunshine Soap, 1930s.
Nap
Nap card games published by Multum in Parvo Ltd, London, c.1900
Magic Poker Cards
“Magic Poker Cards” are often found inside Christmas crackers along with party hats, puzzles and jok...
Picture Proverbs
Picture Proverbs was a Victorian card game illustrating popular proverbs which were seen as words of...
4: Some Card Games
Yet another strand of the playing card world is that of card games, packs of cards usually designed ...
Clifford Toys
Clifford Toys is a brand name of F. Levy & Co., Ltd, London, sellers of toys and fancy goods.
Jaques’ Games
John Jaques & Son (established in 1795) published a large range of popular parlour games, many of wh...
Jaques’ Illustrated Proverbs
Jaques’ Illustrated Proverbs, c.1870. The complete proverb is printed along the top of each card in ...
Miniature Playing Cards
Crudely printed miniature children's packs produced anonymously in c.1920-30.
Walt Disney playing cards
‘Naipes Donald’, children's miniature Spanish-suited Walt Disney playing cards, Uruguay, c.1990.
Scooby-Doo! playing cards for Hellmann’s Magic
Miniature Spanish-suited playing cards featuring Scooby-Doo! made specially for Hellmann’s.
Popular heroes and celebrities
Miniature children's playing cards depicting popular heroes and celebrities on the backs, Montevideo...
Children’s miniature football player cards, Montevideo, c.1928
Miniature children’s playing cards with photographs of football players on the reverse.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
