Kinney Transparent Cards

Published September 22, 2018 • Updated December 19, 2024

Kinney Bros Transparent playing cards with hidden images and fortunes, c.1890.

Kinney Transparent playing cards, c.1890

Kinney Brothers Transparent Playing Cards were first issued in c.1890. While the card faces show simplified standard court outlines in monochrome (the same in each suit), hidden humorous or glamorous images can be seen in colour when the cards are held to the light. A fortune prediction was also printed alongside. There were several issues, the first of which contained 52 cards. No joker has ever been seen despite a 53 card variant mentioned on the backs. Tobacco insert cards were widely used to encourage repeat sales to smokers trying to complete sets.

Above: there were several issues of Kinney Transparent Cards, the first of which contained 52 cards with no joker. One edition states “Read Your Fortune” on the back. Kinney Bros issued a wide range of Tobacco insert cards during the 1880s and 1890s, featuring actresses, butterflies, running horses, military series and also the famous Harlequin Cards. See more here►

CREDITS & REFERENCES

Images of Kinney Transparent Cards courtesy Peter Bowie www.cardtraderpete.com►

Photos of the transparent images courtesy David Epps used with permission from here►

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000

Murray Cards (International) Limited: Cigarette Card Values, London, 2003

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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.

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Kinney Transparent Cards

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