War Party playing cards
War Party playing cards, in opposition to the Iraq War, USA, 2003.
One of several packs published around 2003 in opposition to the Iraq War (2003-2011). This particular pack was produced by the Heartland Journal, Chicago, with a subtitle of “55 most wanted hawks” (the original website www.55mostwantedhawks.com is no longer accessible). The individuals on these cards are “responsible for planning, promoting, and executing the Bush Doctrine of unilateralism and pre-emptive war” [Box]. While mainly politicians are shown, the cards also show figures from right-wing think tanks, the industrial-military complex, and the right-wing media. There are 2 jokers and one extra wild card – Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel. See the box►
Above: War Party playing cards produced by the Heartland Journal, Chicago, USA, 2003.
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 War Party playing cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
US Army Aircraft Recognition Cards
Air defense combined with gameplay.
Heritage Preservation Cards : Afghanistan and Iraq
Twin decks with a noble purpose.
American Civil War playing cards
American Civil War playing cards with suits of stars, US flags, US shields and eagles.
Not the Iraqi Most Wanted playing cards
Fifty-five Irish heroes and villains, some ancient but mostly modern.
Know your deplorables
Photographs of political and media figures associated with the Presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021...
Game Over
‘Game Over’ political playing cards from Israel, 2006.
Operation Iraqi Freedom playing cards
Operation Iraqi Freedom: U.S. Military heroes playing cards, 2003.
Liberated: America's Most Unwanted
“Liberated: America's Most Unwanted” playing cards published in support of the Iraqi War, c.2003.
War Profiteers playing cards
“War Profiteers” playing cards, USA, c. 2004.
United Nations of Weasels
“United Nations of Weasels” anti-war political playing cards, USA, 2003.
Try’em playing cards
Try’em: the U.S. Regime Change, or “52 Most Wanted Criminals” c. 2003.
Iraqi Most Wanted Playing Cards
Playing cards used to help troops identify the most-wanted members of Saddam Hussein's government. 2...
Reagan’s Rogues Gallery
A pack inspired by the Iran-Contra affair or Gipper-gate during the Reagan era, produced by R. Billi...
Anma US Armed Forces
Anma US Armed Forces, 1942.
Victory
“Victory" cards celebrating U.S. participation in the Allied victory, c.1945.
In der Fuehrer’s Face
“In der Fuehrer’s Face” playing cards designed in 1945 by Antonio Arias Bernal, a Mexican artist, bu...
Army & Navy
Andrew Dougherty’s Army & Navy deck from the Civil War era, c.1865.
Anheuser-Busch Army & Navy
This deck is commonly known as the “Anheuser-Busch Spanish-American War deck”, issued at the end of ...
26th Yankee Division
“26th Yankee Division Playing Cards” was designed by Alban B. Butler, Jr and printed by the Press of...
Seminole Wars deck by James Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, c.1819
Court cards from the Seminole Wars deck by J. Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, c.1819. Ace of Spades from...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
