The Bush House of Cards
“The Bush House of Cards” with artwork by John G. Doherty, 2004.
This pack was inspired by the Iraqi Most Wanted pack of 2003, and like the original it features a different person with some kind of connection to the Bush presidency, with a caricature and a somewhat humorous description of that person. The caricatures, described on the box as “the most influential clowns and confederates of Emperor George W’s regime” are the work of John G. Doherty in collaboration with journalist Arthur Rowse. There are 52 cards, 2 jokers, and a double-sided card showing the reverse.
See the box and jokers►
Above: The Bush House of Cards, USA, 2004.
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022
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.
Activity for The Bush House of Cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Arrowhead Playing Cards from San Felipe’s Casino Hollywood
A gorgeous and well-researched celebration of Native American culture.
K Deck
“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.
Starz behind bars
Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.
Ms. playing cards
‘Ms. playing cards’ promoting votes for women, USA, 1975.
Artist’s Aces of Spades
Artist’s Aces of Spades deck published by Robert Billingsley, USA, 1986.
Bush League Allstars
Six different decks of “Bush League Allstars” political playing cards, United States, 2004.
Old West Guns
Old West Guns playing cards containing information about firearms from the Old West, USA.
Netter playing cards
Anatomical playing cards published by Elsevier, USA, 2017.
American President Lines
American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.
Buffalo soldiers
“Buffalo soldiers” playing cards commemorating African American military men who helped change the f...
UMass Amherst Libraries
UMass Amherst Libraries playing cards, USA, 2016
Washington Wine
Washington Wine illustrated playing cards, USA, 2004.
Green Hornet playing cards
Green Hornet playing cards, USA, 1966
New Orleans and Gulf souvenir
New Orleans and Gulf souvenir playing cards from c1900 reprinted for the 52 Plus Joker Convention in...
Adventure Fours
Adventure Fours playing cards with differently coloured suit symbols, USA 1977
Romney Presidential playing cards, 2012
Romney Presidential playing cards, USA, 2012
Politically WILD Barack Obama
Politically WILD Barack Obama playing cards, USA, 2008.
White House of Cards
“White House of Cards” produced by Peter Dunlap-Shohl, USA, 2017.
LBJ Texas playing cards
LBJ Texas playing cards, each card contains different historical facts about Texas, USA, 1966.
52 reasons to re-elect George Bush
“52 reasons to re-elect George Bush” political playing cards published in 2004.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
-playing-cards-with-wüst-courts/images/rijks-1.465ba2b2.jpg "Oude Kunst (Old Art) playing cards with Wüst courts")
