Political Figures

Published May 15, 2012 • Updated June 10, 2022

54 Welsh Politicians on a deck of playing cards...

Welsh Political Figures playing cards

An original portrayal of Welsh politicians from the mid 19^th century until 2011

Welsh Political Figures playing cards feature 54 portraits of famous and popular Welsh politicians from the four main political parties in Wales: Conservatives, Labour, Welsh Liberals (Lib Dem) and Plaid Cymru, primarily those members elected to Westminster, Cardiff Bay and Strasbourg-Brussels. The full colour drawings were created by Welsh political artist Dan Peterson. This is probably the first pack of political playing cards emanating from Wales and so is doubly historic.

54 politicians from Wales whose future is on the cards

Above: cards from 'Welsh Political Figures' playing cards published by Protest and Survive Ltd, Cardiff. The cards are the combined work of the artist Dan Peterson and political historian Professor Russell Deacon. The first edition is of 1,000 packs only.

Dan Peterson, the artist who drew the portraits, studied art at the Cardiff School of Print and Cardiff School of Art and Design. He has worked as an illustrator and designer for over twenty-five years. Professor Russell Deacon holds a part-time post in the Department of History at the University of Wales Trinity St David.

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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.