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SEARCH 4,432 ARTICLES...
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Popular searches within the last 28 days: tarot Disney cartomancy de la rue
Russian Mamluk erotic Bicycle cats Fournier Political
Welcome to the World of Playing Cards, where we delve into the rich heritage and
history of playing cards, and the many ways in which they bring people together.
Playing cards have been shared and enjoyed for centuries for everything from
games and gambling to fortune-telling, magic and conjuring. Today they continue
to be a popular and educational pastime for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Playing cards combine many aspects of our history including paper-making,
printing technologies, innovation, symbolism, graphic design and how these have
changed over the years. Whatever your interest in cards, you'll find something
interesting here.
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MUSIC PLAYING CARDS
Portraits of 13 classical music composers.
*
by Roddy Somerville
* April 08, 2024 at 10:03am
SUBMIT
Link Discussion Article
CLASSIC CARD GAMES FOR KIDS
A boxed set of playing cards, Happy Families and an alphabet pack with rules for
22 games.
Roddy Somerville • 6 hours ago
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L DAY
Antique cards forming a composite pack by L.Day, Kingdom of Ireland, 1780.
Simon Wintle • Yesterday at 20:50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LES PLAQUES ÉMAILLÉES D’ANTOINE VOLLON
54 different enamel plaques depicting silk manufacture, by the Lyon artist
Antoine Vollon.
Roddy Somerville • Yesterday at 11:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHA INDUSTRIES’ CASTILIAN PATTERN
Colourful Spanish (Castilian) pattern cards made by Asha Industries in India for
Mexico.
Roddy Somerville • Yesterday at 08:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE ROI BRIDGE
Reprint of a Piatnik (Budapest) pack of 1927 with Hungarian historical figures
and scenic aces.
Roddy Somerville • 06 April 2024, 21:09
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MANARA: BARAJA DE POKER
Exotic illustrations by Italian comic book artist and writer Milo Manara.
Peter Burnett • 06 April 2024, 12:31
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CLUB SOFT DRINKS
Promotional pack for Club soft drinks with amusing illustrations of different
kinds of ‘club’.
Roddy Somerville • 06 April 2024, 11:41
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MIT RHINO AUFTRUMPFEN
Black rhinos on a publicity pack for Armstrong, a flooring company, with comic
designs by Pit Flick.
Roddy Somerville • 05 April 2024, 18:46
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FRATELLI ARMANINO
I have a pack of
Michaela Harris • 05 April 2024, 16:12 • 0 Comments
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EARLY CHAD VALLEY SNAP, LINDA EDGERTON
I'm sorting out my box of memories and found an old game of snap which I...
David Phillips • 05 April 2024, 15:54 • 2 Comments
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VALHALLA SPILLEKORT
Characters from the Valhalla comics, designed by Peter Madsen, as commemorated
on a Danish stamp.
Roddy Somerville • 05 April 2024, 11:05
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SO-LAH – A GAME OF MUSIC
An early 20th century domino-type musical card game by Goodall.
Roddy Somerville • 04 April 2024, 20:28
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR
American teen film depicting students staging their last spring musical.
Peter Burnett • 04 April 2024, 19:31
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MARMITE
Fifty-Four images celebrating a UK savoury spread, that has been around one
hundred and twenty two years! It's about time!
Ian Taylor • 04 April 2024, 04:27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORD MAKING AND WORD TAKING
How crossword and spelling games became popular.
Tony Hall • 03 April 2024, 21:09
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PINOCCHIO PLAYING CARDS
Comic book drawings inspired by Carlo Collodi’s children’s classic, Pinocchio.
Roddy Somerville • 03 April 2024, 13:36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE ORE PLAYING CARDS
Caricatures of famous personalities from the late 1970s for the Italian magazine
Le Ore.
Roddy Somerville • 02 April 2024, 18:07
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JEUX DE CARTES TO TOM
Bonjour Je possède un jeux de cart...
Plourin • 02 April 2024, 17:14 • 1 Comments
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G&G ARMAMENT PLAYING CARDS
G&G Armament Airsoft replica gun playing cards from Taiwan.
Peter Burnett • 02 April 2024, 13:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CARTE ROMANTICHE ITALIANE
Scenes of life and the theatre in Milan towards the second half of the 19th
century.
Peter Burnett • 01 April 2024, 19:14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WALT DISNEY CARDS II
Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and other familiar Disney characters.
Roddy Somerville • 01 April 2024, 13:06
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POSTABANK 3
Caricatures of German personalities on a promotional pack for a Hungarian
commercial bank.
Roddy Somerville • 31 March 2024, 20:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGING CARDS WITHOUT CORNER INDICES
For many hundreds of years cards had no corner indices, were square cut and
mostly made from card without the smooth, slippery surfaces we enjoy today.
Tony Hall • 30 March 2024, 13:44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUANLANGAOSHOU / SLAM DUNK PLAYING CARDS
Basketball-themed manga animated playing cards from Japan.
Peter Burnett • 30 March 2024, 11:57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHATEVER YOU’RE UP TO, STAY SAFE
Safety advice playing cards by New Zealand Police and the Wellington City
Council.
Peter Burnett • 30 March 2024, 10:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTABANK 1
Caricatures of Hungarian politicians on a promotional pack for a commercial
bank.
Roddy Somerville • 29 March 2024, 13:22
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LE JEU DES MUSICIENS
Artist Silvia Maddonni’s gently humorous take on musicians and their
instruments.
Roddy Somerville • 29 March 2024, 11:45
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NEW BOND PLAYING CARDS
I have a pack of new bond playing cards with a fabric finish still inner...
Steve J Hall • 29 March 2024, 02:15 • 1 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MECHANICAL DECKS – PART 2
This article examines the Rough and Smooth principle in mechanical decks used in
magic, detailing several types such as the Invisible, Brainwave, Split, and
Nudist Decks. It explores their history and...
Roy J Hopwood • 29 March 2024, 02:02
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FILM NOIR
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating hard boiled heroes, wise-cracking women, mean
streets, guns and gumshoes!
Ian Taylor • 29 March 2024, 01:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCIENCE FICTION
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating a time when Science Fiction truly was, Science
Fiction.
Ian Taylor • 29 March 2024, 01:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABSOLUT DECK
Promotional deck published for Absolut Vodka in Sweden.
Peter Burnett • 28 March 2024, 20:34
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LO STAMPATORE
‘Lo Stampatore’ linocut images created by Sergio Favret, published as a deck of
cards by Editions Solleone / Vito Arienti in 1977.
Peter Burnett • 28 March 2024, 12:15
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LES SAINTS GUÉRISSEURS ET PROTECTEURS
Healing and patron saints portrayed in paintings, manuscripts, altarpieces and
statuary.
Roddy Somerville • 28 March 2024, 09:31
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BERNARD DONDORF
For an assignment I have to make a...
Jelte Jacops • 28 March 2024, 07:25 • 0 Comments
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EROTICARTES
I have a full set of the 1983 Fren...
Maria • 28 March 2024, 07:08 • 0 Comments
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SCENIC VIEWS OF AUSTRALIA
54 different scenic views of Australia in full colour.
Roddy Somerville • 27 March 2024, 14:39
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice in Wonderland collector’s edition with illustrations of characters from
the film, published by Fournier, Spain, 2010.
Peter Burnett • 27 March 2024, 12:13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ULYSSES A VAU-DE-VILLE
the James Joyce cards with drawings by Rosita Fanto.
Peter Burnett • 26 March 2024, 22:18
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KUZCO, L’EMPEREUR MÉGALO
Notched cards featuring toys representing characters from the Disney film Kuzco,
as offered by McDonald’s.
Roddy Somerville • 26 March 2024, 12:08
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THE BEATLES PLAYING CARDS
Two packs featuring photos of The Beatles issued by the same publisher in 2004
and 2005.
Roddy Somerville • 24 March 2024, 20:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEPALI CHILDREN
Photographs of Nepali children offering glimpses of joy, hope and the beauty of
life.
Peter Burnett • 24 March 2024, 16:57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WOMEN BY ROYO
‘Women by Royo’ erotic playing cards published by Heraclio Fournier, Spain,
2001.
Peter Burnett • 24 March 2024, 11:21
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COSTUME PLAYING CARDS
Four centuries of costumes from the Costume Court at the Victoria and Albert
Museum.
Roddy Somerville • 23 March 2024, 14:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HILTI I
Promotional pack for Hilti power tools, with courts in medieval costume and
non-standard pips.
Roddy Somerville • 23 March 2024, 12:49
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MONUMENTS DE PARIS
‘Monuments de Paris’ souvenir playing cards produced by Heraclio Fournier,
c.1964.
Peter Burnett • 22 March 2024, 14:02
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TRANSAIR
Humorous designs promoting Transair, a German charter flight operator.
Roddy Somerville • 22 March 2024, 12:05
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LEONARDO COLLECTION
Leonardo collection playing cards with drawings from his notebooks.
Peter Burnett • 21 March 2024, 18:09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERZ PHARMA SKAT
Comic designs promoting Merz Pharma, a German drug company.
Roddy Somerville • 21 March 2024, 10:56
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View all new articles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112 COUNTRIES & PLACES
View All Countries
Africa Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Belarus Belgium Bhutan
Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Canada Catalonia Ceylon Chile China Colombia Cook
Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Czechoslovakia Denmark
Dominican Ecuador Egypt Estonia Ethiopia Europe Finland France Georgia Germany
Greece Greenland Guatemala Guernsey Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India
Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya
Korea Latin America Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar
Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mexico Monaco Mongolia Morocco Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay
Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Salvador San Marino
Scandinavia Scotland Singapore South Africa Spain Suriname Sweden Switzerland
Tahiti / French Polynesia Taiwan Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey
Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay USA Venezuela Vietnam (Việt
Nam) Wales
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FROM OUR MEMBERS
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RODDY SOMERVILLE
478
View Articles
1993
MULTICARD
A Spanish-suited pack with multiple uses including roulette and dice.
1982
CARDS ON CARDS (E.H. LOCKER)
Artist Edward Locker’s view of London life in 1799, using every card in the pack
as part of the pict...
1939
PARIS PATTERN FOR WWII TROOPS
Wartime edition of standard designs with fewer colours, a special back design
and an overprint.
PAUL SYMONS
70
View Articles
1915
UNNAMED SCENIC ACES OF RIO DE JANEIRO
Cards made by C.L.Wüst of Germany for Brazil
2016
AT THE TOP PLAYING CARDS
Exclusively designed for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
1824
LLOMBART PATTERN PLAYING CARDS FROM SPAIN
also known as the Plumed Hat pattern.
PETER BURNETT
503
View Articles
2018
PIKE AND CLOVER PLAYING CARDS
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
2005
USA GOLF: PLACES TO PLAY
USA golf playing cards showing the best golf courses in the USA.
DRUM PLAYING CARDS
Drum playing cards depicting demographically diverse Africans of different
ethnicities.
KEN LODGE
137
View Articles
18: BELGIAN CARDS: AN INTRODUCTION
The card-makers of Turnhout were prolific in their output and inveterate
copiers.
2: STILL COLLECTING PLAYING CARDS AT 80
This is a personal account of some of my experiences collecting playing cards.
41: A GUIDE TO DATING PLAYING CARDS
Dating is a particularly tricky but very interesting problem to tackle and there
are many pitfalls. ...
TONY HALL
47
View Articles
PROGRESSIVE WHIST CARDS - PAGE 2
Wireless Whist itself, in many forms...
CRIBBAGE PATIENCE OR CRIBBAGE SQUARES
Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares, produced by Messrs Edward Mortimer,
Halifax and London.
1742
HOYLE AND HIS LEGACY
Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) was an English writer who made his name by writing on
whist and a selection...
BARNEY TOWNSHEND
131
View Articles
LUXUSKARTE NO.75
Stylistically, the deck fits easily into the Dondorf “luxury card” group. The
deck has been produced...
GAIGEL-KARTEN
The Valets in this deck appear in costumes of the Biedermeier period, portraying
sentimental and pio...
1889
MITTELALTER NO.150
These designs imitating late medieval costumes were published by B. Dondorf in
Germany in various ed...
REX PITTS (1940-2021)
773
View Articles
1900
LA MARIÉE DU MARDI-GRAS
La Mariée du Mardi-Gras, published by Jeux et Jouets Français. Paris, early
1900s.
1984
MUSIKINSTRUMENTE
Musikinstrumente quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck,
1984.
1953
WORLD BRIDGE
‘World Bridge’ produced by Modiano in Trieste, Italy, since around 1950.
ADAM WEST-WATSON
16
View Articles
1979
MORGAN-GREER TAROT
Based on the knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Paul Foster Case and Arthur
Edward Waite.
1996
NEW PALLADINI TAROT
“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in
1996.
1970
THE AQUARIAN TAROT DECK
The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan
Press, Inc., 1970.
ADAM WINTLE
152
View Articles
2023
THE TAROT STRIKES BACK
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite
tarot imagery.
2023
HOUSE OF TUDOR
Randy Butterfield's House of Tudor playing cards feature detailed art in a
high-quality collectible ...
2021
JACK-O’-LANTERN TAROT
Giuliano Costa's Jack-O’-Lantern tarot blends Rider-Waite symbolism with the
rich and atmospheric th...
SIMON WINTLE
1,434
View Articles
1780
L DAY
Antique cards forming a composite pack by L.Day, Kingdom of Ireland, 1780.
1745
BURGUNDY PATTERN
The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.
1883
JEU QUATRE EMPEREURS
Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other
dignitaries on the court...
THE HISTORY OF PLAYING CARDS
Playing cards arrived in Europe the late 14th century and rapidly became a part
of popular culture. Antique playing cards are like a visit to the local museum
and evoke images of past eras and ways of life and also demonstrate archaic
technology or production methods. So what do the oldest surviving playing cards
look like?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1500
GAMBLING AND VICE IN THE MIDDLE AGES
Gambling and Vice in the Hours of Charles V: card-playing in the local tavern
LOMBARDY (OR MILANESI) PATTERN
The origins of the Lombardy pattern probably lie in the early 19th century when
it was a full-length...
1650
XVII CENTURY ENGRAVED ANIMAL CARDS
Anonymous French-suited German engraved cards c1610 to 1650.
“DECK WITH FRENCH SUITS”
A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of
F.X. Schmid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ART & DESIGN
Design Caricatures Abstract Cartoon Celtic Deco Jugendstil Renaissance Rococo
Surrealism
The playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size
imposes some limitations there is an almost bewildering wealth and variety of
designs in playing cards and their tuck boxes. The serious player requires
design to be unobtrusive so that aesthetic considerations remain in the
background. However, with modern manufacturing technology more eye-catching
designs are becoming popular as gifts, collectibles and for their attractive
appearance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985
PACO LOBO
Highly original and striking designs by Paco Lobo for the fashion house of the
same name.
1958
ÖBERGS ‘COMEDIA’
Öbergs “Comedia” playing cards designed by Stig Lindberg from Sweden, c.1958
1870
TRANSFORMATION CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS
Hand-drawn Transformation cards, c.1870.
1993
LE CARTE DI FORATTINI
Political caricatures by Giorgio Forattini published by Arnoldo Mondadori
Editore, Italy, 1993.
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ORACLE, DIVINATION & TAROT
The art of interpreting divine omens - augury or reading karma - has since
ancient times been integral to political, civic and religious life.
More recently, Cartomancy and modern esoteric tarot packs have been produced in
a wide variety of conceptions and involve use of imagination and intuition to
assess one’s thoughts and feelings from the view point of the symbolic images
and numbers. It is possible for an object to be construed as a game in one
context, and as something other than a game in a different context.
Tarot, originally a 15th century card game, has evolved into a popular system of
personal mysticism, self-exploration and spirituality Learn more about tarot►
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1825
MYTHOLOGICAL TAROT BY MICHAEL SCHATZBERGER
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.
1810
NATURAL HISTORY TAROT
Natural History Tarot published by G M, Germany, early 19th C.
1975
RAMSES II TAROT
Ramses II Tarot deck was published c.1975 in conjunction with a Peruvian occult
or esoteric magazine...
2016
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS “CURSE OF STRAHD” TAROKKA DECK
Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons game with the Tarokka Deck, a tarot-inspired set
of cards that bring...
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CARD GAMES
Games Childhood Currency Educational Happy Families Jaques Quartet Snap Spelling
The games we play mirror the world we live in, like popular art. There was a
time when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside and enjoyed
countless hours of pleasure and amusement. Children don’t play card games so
much because they prefer computer games, the ultimate excitement. Antique and
vintage card games offer documentary evidence, as well as nostalgic memories, of
the social interaction, fashions and stereotypes of bygone days and are a study
in social anthropology.
French card games are mostly Jeux des Sept Familles. German games are often
pleasing on the eye, and they seem to favour quartet games. USA love quartets of
world worthies like authors, painters, composers. Games are not simply an escape
from the real world, they are also educational and provide a place to process
what it all means.
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FAIRY TALES
German Fairy Tales Card Game.
1907
HURRY-UP MISFITZ
Faulkner's “Hurry-Up Misfitz”, with some fine illustrations of vintage methods
of transportation, wa...
STOP! I FORBID THE SALE!
“Stop! I forbid the Sale!” card game published by H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd,
c.1939.
1900
ALICE IN WONDERLAND (THOMAS DE LA RUE VERSION)
Alice in Wonderland card game based on original designs by Sir John Tenniel
published by Thomas De l...
THE BIG PICTURE
Playing cards have a universal appeal and are a reflection of human culture.
Above: Chinese money-suited cards. Some of the earliest cards have origins in
the Far East.
Playing cards are a part of almost every culture and society around the world.
These small, rectangular pieces of paper have been a source of entertainment for
generations and are still enjoyed by people of all ages today. Whether it’s a
simple game of solitaire, a high-stakes game of poker, or a magic trick that
delights, there’s something about playing cards that captures the imagination
and inspires creativity. As Delef Hoffmann once said “whether we consider cards
as mere merchandise or as the bond which unites people with one another, just
think of what we would be if we had no cards! How boring and unsociable our
lives would be without this invention!”
Above: Dasavatara Ganjifa from India. Playing cards from India are often
circular.
The origin of cards can be traced back to China, where they were first used as
early as the 9th century. From there, the cards travelled across Asia and the
Middle East, and finally found their way to Europe in the 14th century.
Since then, playing cards have been used for a wide range of purposes, including
fortune-telling and even propaganda. But the most significant impact they have
had on humanity is through their use in games, which have brought people
together for centuries.
Above left: a set of Spanish playing cards from 1638 was discovered inside a
prison wall during demolition, likely used for gambling by prisoners. Above
center: Trump Presidential playing cards, playing cards are often used for
political messages. Above right: the Magician from the popualr Rider-Waite
tarot, which has become the template for modern tarot decks.
While playing cards have brought people together for fun and play, they have
also been a source of disruption in the form of gambling. For many, gambling has
become an addiction, leading to financial ruin and even anti-social problems.
The artistic value of cards cannot be overlooked, with their intricate details
and unique designs of each card reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of
artists. Playing cards are a reflection of our society, with each country and
region having its unique designs and styles. As Sylvia Mann put it “there are
fashions in cards, and these fashions very often reflect the history of the
times”. From the bold and colourful designs of India to the intricate and
detailed patterns of Russia, playing cards are a testament to the creativity and
diversity of the human experience.
Above left: Kashmir Playing Cards, above center: Ethiopian Air Lines playing
cards produced by Nintendo, above right: striking playing cards designed by
Masuo Ikeda.
Playing cards have a wide embrace, spanning across cultures and countries, with
a scope of diverse subjects that reflect the values and beliefs of their
respective societies.
Playing cards are an enduring symbol of human connection and creativity,
transcending language, borders and cultures. Through the power of games, they
have brought people together for centuries, creating shared experiences that
have fostered friendships, learning and social bonds. While their role in
gambling has been disruptive, their stunning artistic designs elevate them to
works of art, worthy of appreciation and admiration. Playing cards are a
testament to the power of human creativity and a reflection of the rich cultural
tapestry of our world.
REFERENCES
* The Playing Card, Delef Hoffmann, 1972
* Collecting Playing Cards, Sylvia Mann, 1966
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ABOUT THE WORLD OF PLAYING CARDS
Our aim is to increase awareness and appreciation of the cultural and historical
significance of playing cards.
The World of Playing Cards was established in 1996 as a place where you can
learn about playing cards, their history, design and manufacture, and see cards
from around the world.
Simon Wintle (right) with Adam Wintle (left) visiting Ayutthaya in Thailand,
2016.
They reflect the traditions of many countries. They vary widely in size, style,
shape, artistry, usage and many other purposes in education, marketing or even
for fortune telling. There is a fascination in playing card design: the neat
symmetries and quirky symbols. The composition of the pack - court cards, suits,
pips - provides endless scope of play.
They are recognised everywhere around the world - we rarely question their
origins.
Since their invention, cards have lost none of their popularity. Playing cards
have a long history and it's in the art that the richness of playing cards is to
be discovered.
Simon & Adam
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Increasing awareness and appreciation of the cultural and historical
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Latest Article
1994
MUSIC PLAYING CARDS
Portraits of 13 classical music composers.
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