Time Magazine

Little is known about these Time Magazine playing cards, which may have been issued to commemorate the magazine’s 40th anniversary. This slightly larger than usual deck is delightful, particularly because of its color palette. All four single-figure courts use nearly identical drawings of kings, queens, and jacks, but depicted in stunning varieties of hues that make them look like illustrations to a children’s fairy tale book.

Each figure has the appropriate suit symbol on its attire. The jacks brandish crossed swords, the queens hold a sword and scales, and the kings a dove with an olive branch. Together, these comprise the themes of war, justice, and peace.

The pip cards are noteworthy – all pips are gorgeously bicolored and arranged in unorthodox patterns. A jester in motley completes the deck while a royal couple is engrossed reading Time on the backs. Unfortunately, the designer and printer are unknown. Each pip card contains a different “fact” boasting about Time’s subscriptions, reach, and popularity and the worthiness of “Time families.” One can’t help but be a bit doubtful in regard to the more global claims such as: “U.S. scientists de-deuce that TIME is ‘the most important magazine published in America.’”

Time Magazine playing cards created for the friends of TIME The Weekly Newsmagazine, USA, 1962.

The deck’s box, which bears a US tax stamp, says the cards were “created especially for the friends of TIME The Weekly Newsmagazine.”