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Mr Deuceace and Mr Dawkins sitting at a round table playing cards Since 1996, this collaborative project has grown to include 4,459 articles by 25 contributors, including researchers, collectors, artists and historians covering topics from Art Nouveau to Zoology. We move beyond simply cataloguing playing cards by date, manufacturer and place of origin, and adopt a dynamic, interactive and thematic approach, bridging the past with the present, telling stories, opening conceptual perspectives and the necessary reflectiveness to gain new insights and ways to appreciate their role in history.

Pirritx eta Porrotx

Happy Families card game from the Spanish Basque Country.

Naipe Vizcaino

‘Naipe Vizcaino’ designed by Javier Urkiri and published by Industrias Gráficas Castuera and the Caja de Ahorros Vizcaína.

Cathedrals, Abbeys & Minsters playing cards

54 pictures of different famous cathedrals, abbeys and minsters in England and Wales.

New Articles

Naipe Vizcaino
Naipe Vizcaino

‘Naipe Vizcaino’ designed by Javier Urkiri and published by Industrias Gráficas Castuera and the Caja de Ahorr...

Egoitz Campo Gonzalez • 5 days ago

Cathedrals, Abbeys & Minsters playing cards
Cathedrals, Abbeys & Minsters playing cards

54 pictures of different famous cathedrals, abbeys and minsters in England and Wales.

Peter Burnett • 5 days ago

Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse
Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.

Simon Wintle • 5 days ago

Baraja Turística del País Vasco
Baraja Turística del País Vasco

Basque poker deck of 55 cards published by Fournier with scenic views of the Basque Country.

Egoitz Campo Gonzalez • Dec 3, 2024

Christmas Carols
Christmas Carols

Christmas Carols playing cards illustrated by Stuart Dilks

Peter Burnett • Dec 2, 2024

Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud
Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud

Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.

Simon Wintle • Dec 1, 2024

Baraja Vasca
Baraja Vasca

Spanish Basque Country deck with original drawings by María Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano.

Egoitz Campo Gonzalez • Dec 1, 2024

Red Hat Society playing cards
Red Hat Society playing cards

Society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life.

Peter Burnett • Nov 27, 2024

Pam is the Knave of Clubs
Pam is the Knave of Clubs

Playing cards as metaphors in 18th century art - from fate, chance and social hierarchy to critique...

Simon Wintle • Nov 25, 2024

Question and Answer Games
Question and Answer Games

A card game called “Impertinent Questions and Pertinent Answers” was launched in the early 1920s by H.P Gibson...

Tony Hall • Nov 24, 2024

Dr Sacheverell
Dr Sacheverell

Dr. Henry Sacheverell's impeachment in 1710 sparked widespread public unrest and political upheaval, highlight...

Simon Wintle • Nov 23, 2024

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité
Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.

Simon Wintle • Nov 20, 2024

Politiker-Skat by Bubec
Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Caricatures of world leaders, including many German politicians, by the artist Bubec.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 20, 2024

Le Poker Politique
Le Poker Politique

French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 20, 2024

Modern Jass (Fredy Sigg)
Modern Jass (Fredy Sigg)

Caricatural updating of traditional Swiss Jass cards by the artist Fredy Sigg.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 19, 2024

Russian Circus deck
Russian Circus deck

The Russian Circus deck published by the Imperial Playing Card Factory, St Petersburg.

Simon Wintle • Nov 18, 2024

Czech Bohemian style playing cards
Czech Bohemian style playing cards

Czech Bohemian style playing cards with a charming aesthetic, reflecting the cultural and social life of the t...

Simon Wintle • Nov 15, 2024

Baraja Cultura Española
Baraja Cultura Española

ASESCOIN pack for 2022 designed by M.A. Corella featuring famous Spaniards and notable buildings.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 12, 2024

Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau
Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau

17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.

Simon Wintle • Nov 11, 2024

Play Architecture
Play Architecture

Twentieth century architects and their creations on a well-designed pack from Finland.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 10, 2024

English pattern by JRC Industries
English pattern by JRC Industries

A standard pack from South Africa using Piatnik courts with minor modifications.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 10, 2024

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi
Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

The Lyon pattern was initially developed in France during the 16th century. As Lyon was a trading hub, cross-c...

Simon Wintle • Nov 8, 2024

Current Highlights

Cyberpunk 2077 Tarot Cards

Polish cartoonist Jakub Rebelka created this set of tarot cards for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game.

History of Court Cards

History of Court Cards

The court cards in English packs of playing cards derive from models produced by Pierre Marechal in ...

Playing Card Design

Playing Card Design

The playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size imposes some limitat...

The Joker Card

The 'Joker' is believed to have been invented by American Euchre players who, when modifying the rul...

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Rider Waite Tarot early editions

Manufacture of Playing Cards

Manufacture of Playing Cards

Traditionally cardmakers worked in guilds with long apprenticeships under master craftsmen.

Mamluk Playing Cards

Nã'ib, the game of lieutenants... these cards are amongst the earliest Arabic playing cards ext...

Early History of Playing Cards & Timeline

Out of an apparent void, a constellation of references in early literature emerge pointing to the su...

Chinese Playing Cards 中国纸牌

Chinese Playing Cards 中国纸牌

The Chinese took their cards with them wherever they travelled and traded in the East, and we find C...

Corner Indices

Corner Indices were a major innovation in playing card production.


Explore

4,459 articles featuring content from 118 countries, 1,304 manufacturers and 1,084 designers; including 385 themes, 265 brands, 76 suits, 50 games and 30 licenses.

A decorative black and white line ornament with a circular design in the center and horizontal lines extending from both sides
History

Playing Cards have been around in Europe since the 1370s. Some early packs were hand painted works of art which were expensive and affordable only by the wealthy. But as demand increased cheaper methods of production were discovered so that playing cards became available for everyone... more

History of Court Cards

History of Court Cards

By Simon Wintle

1864 Corner Indices

Corner Indices

By Simon Wintle


Tarot

Tarot, originally a 15th century card game from Italy, has evolved into a form of personal mysticism and spiritual exploration, offering new visions of expanding awareness. more

AI Tarot Reading

AI Tarot Reading

By Adam Wintle


Art Nouveau & Jugendstil

Art Nouveau, also known as Jugendstil, was an artistic movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century, around the 1890s. It was inspired by a desire to break away from the academic and historicist styles that dominated art and design at the time and to create a new, modern aesthetic that reflected the changing world and the spirit of the age. Major influences on the Art Nouveau movement were the growing interest in Eastern art and design, including “exotica”, curvilinear forms and decorative motifs drawn from nature, and advances in technology. Playing cards provide many elegant and refined examples of this style, with intricate designs, bold patterns, and vibrant colours.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

By Barney Townshend

Jeu de Cartes No.1

Jeu de Cartes No.1

By Barney Townshend

1970 The Aquarian Tarot Deck

The Aquarian Tarot Deck

By Adam West-Watson

1850 Historical Characters

Historical Characters

By Simon Wintle


Wartime

Wartime playing cards and card games are those that were produced during times of war and were often designed with patriotic themes or propaganda messages. They were distributed to soldiers and civilians alike and served as a form of entertainment and morale booster during times of conflict. Wartime playing cards often feature images of military leaders, soldiers and patriotic symbols, such as national flags or eagles.

• See also "Most Wanted" • "Military" • "Army"

1943 Le Jeu de Marseille

Le Jeu de Marseille

By Barney Townshend

1946 Mayall Press Art Studies

Mayall Press Art Studies

By Matt Probert


Bicycle

The famous Bicycle playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. More recently the brand has been open to private designers since the early 2000s. more

1885 Bicycle Playing Cards, 1st edition

Bicycle Playing Cards, 1st edition

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

1881 Russell, Morgan & Co

Russell, Morgan & Co

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

1885 Bicycle No.808 - page 2

Bicycle No.808 - page 2

By Simon Wintle


The Big Picture

Playing cards have a universal appeal and are a reflection of human culture.

A decorative black and white line ornament with a circular design in the center and horizontal lines extending from both sides
Simon & Adam Wintle

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!"

Joker by Simon Wintle

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.

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.

Simon & Adam Wintle

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

About the World of Playing Cards

Our aim is to increase awareness and appreciation of the cultural and historical significance of playing cards.

A decorative black and white line ornament with a circular design in the center and horizontal lines extending from both sides

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 & Adam Wintle

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.

Joker by Simon Wintle

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