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Dungeons & Dragons “Curse of Strahd” Tarokka Deck
Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons game with the Tarokka Deck, a tarot-inspired set of cards that bring...
Donkey game from Malaysia
“Donkey” children's card game designed and created by Ooi Yan Hee, manufactured by Hee Trading Co., ...
Dungeons and Dragons Tarot
This 78-card officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) tarot deck offers a visually appealing var...
Playing Card Design
The playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size imposes some limitat...
Corner Indices
Corner Indices were a major innovation in playing card production.
Cartes Lenormand
“Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed in Germany by B. Dondorf, 1...
Conjuring and Magic
The art of mystifying people is very old indeed. The first conjurers were priests who obtained power...
Mamluk Playing Cards
Nã'ib, the game of lieutenants... these cards are amongst the earliest Arabic playing cards ext...
Waddington’s Playing Cards
John Waddington Limited was a leading producer of playing cards and card games in the UK during the ...
Rider Waite Tarot early editions
Rider Waite Tarot early editions
Explore
4,480 articles featuring content from 118 countries, 1,317 manufacturers and 1,099 designers; including 386 themes, 265 brands, 76 suits, 50 games and 30 licenses.
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. more ►
Playing Card Design
By Simon Wintle
Modern Aces of Spades
By Matt Probert
Chinese Jokers
By Matt Probert
Salvador Dalí
By Barney Townshend
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufacturers being taken over by larger ones. The outcome is that the U.S.P.C.C. is now the largest manufacturer in the United States. more ►
Bicycle No.808
By Simon Wintle
The United States Playing Card Company
By Simon Wintle
43: The United States Playing Card Co.
By Ken Lodge
Playboy playing cards
By Roddy Somerville
This term refers to a family of card games that originated in Persia and spread to India during the Moghul period. The traditional Ganjifa deck consists of 96 cards divided into eight suits. The cards are typically round and hand-painted with intricate designs. The games played with this pack often involve trick-taking mechanics, and the rules can vary significantly depending on the region and specific variant of the game being played.
Chitrashala Press
By Simon Wintle
Ganjifa - Playing Cards from India
By Paul Bostock
Ganjifa™
By Roddy Somerville
Handmade Ganjifa Birds Playing Cards
By Ian Taylor
The best-known fantasies with playing cards are the ‘Transformation’ cards. Hand-drawing ‘transformations’ onto a pack of ordinary playing cards, with the suit symbols forming part of the overall composition, became a popular pastime 200 years ago and a test of skill in drawing. A great deal of ingenuity is required in their design. The earliest printed sets were published at the start of the 19th century, often published in the form of an almanac or sometimes known as ‘metastasis’, and these became a fashionable and entertaining novelty.
In the strict sense of the word ‘Transformation’ the pips should be in their standard positions and form part of, or fit into, the overll image portrayed on the card.
more ►
The Key to the Kingdom
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Transformation of Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle
Kitten Club
By Simon Wintle
Ye Witches’ No.62 Fortune Cards
By Simon Wintle
Closely following the development of visual advertising in general, such as on labels, packaging, posters and TV commercials, advertising playing cards seek to find ways to associate products with our inner desires and longings, with our identity and who we want to be. Some packs are widely distributed as part of larger promotions, others are more exclusive. In some cases single cards are collected from inside the advertised product, thereby stimulating further sales to complete a full set.
Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle
By Adam Wintle
Hamlet Cigars
By Peter Burnett
Smith-Corona Marchant
By Roddy Somerville
Austria Ski Team playing cards
By Roddy Somerville
The Big Picture
Playing cards have a universal appeal and are a reflection of human culture.
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!"
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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