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A round, golden-yellow tortilla on a decorative blue and white plate with intricate patterns Since 1996, this collaborative project has grown to include 4,445 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.

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

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

Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

Le Poker Politique

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

New Articles

Politiker-Skat by Bubec
Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

Roddy Somerville • 7 hours ago

Le Poker Politique
Le Poker Politique

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

Roddy Somerville • Less than a day ago

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

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

Roddy Somerville • 1 day ago

Russian Circus deck
Russian Circus deck

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

Simon Wintle • 2 days ago

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 • 5 days ago

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

Leadmill playing cards
Leadmill playing cards

Promotional pack for an arts centre in Sheffield with designs by Martin F. Bedford.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 8, 2024

SCOR playing cards
SCOR playing cards

Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 7, 2024

Mountain Dream Tarot
Mountain Dream Tarot

Groundbreaking Tarot created by Bea Nettles, using photographs and photo montage.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 6, 2024

Agatha Christie and card games
Agatha Christie and card games

Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and motives for c...

Tony Hall • Nov 5, 2024

Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune
Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune

Blake and Mortimer comic strip characters created by Edgar P. Jacobs.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 3, 2024

Laurenzo Propagine
Laurenzo Propagine

Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.

Simon Wintle • Nov 2, 2024

Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques
Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques

Long-standing Basque businesses represented in a traditional card game with illustrations by Odile Artéon.

Roddy Somerville • Nov 1, 2024

English Heritage
English Heritage

52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.

Roddy Somerville • Oct 31, 2024

Clear Skies
Clear Skies

‘Clear Skies’ playing cards paying tribute to the Ukrainian people in the face of war.

Peter Burnett • Oct 30, 2024

Il Tarocco Mitologico
Il Tarocco Mitologico

Fully pictorial Tarot designed by Amerigo Folchi with figures mainly from Greek mythology.

Roddy Somerville • Oct 29, 2024

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern
Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by Guillaume & Jean Grossard (Bordeaux).

Simon Wintle • Oct 26, 2024

Junior Playing Cards
Junior Playing Cards

Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.

Roddy Somerville • Oct 26, 2024

Current Highlights

Suicide King

Suicide King

The King of Hearts, holding a sword behind his head, is sometimes nicknamed the “Suicide King”. He c...

Mamluk Playing Cards

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

Tarot of the Unknown

Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.

Cartes Lenormand

“Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed in Germany by B. Dondorf, 1...

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 ...

Junior Playing Cards

Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.

14: Back Designs

14: Back Designs

A few examples of the many interesting back designs.

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...

The Joker Card

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

García y Boyer

Spanish-suited pack in the ‘Raimundo García’ pattern produced by García y Boyer, Igualada, c.1880.


Explore

4,445 articles featuring content from 118 countries, 1,303 manufacturers and 1,081 designers; including 385 themes, 265 brands, 77 suits, 49 games and 29 licenses.

A decorative black and white line ornament with a circular design in the center and horizontal lines extending from both sides
United States Playing Card Co.

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

1885 Bicycle No.808

Bicycle No.808

By Simon Wintle

2003 Iraqi Most Wanted Playing Cards
1881 Army & Navy No.303

Army & Navy No.303

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)


Transformation

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

1983 Eroticartes

Eroticartes

By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)

1496 South German Engraver

South German Engraver

By Simon Wintle

2006 Kitten Club

Kitten Club

By Simon Wintle


Advertising

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.

2004 Axe Deodorant

Axe Deodorant

By Simon Wintle

2000 Austria Ski Team playing cards

Austria Ski Team playing cards

By Roddy Somerville

2019 James Purdey Signature playing cards

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

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"

1941 Submarine Cards

Submarine Cards

By Barney Townshend

Ordnance Recognition

Ordnance Recognition

By Simon Wintle

1946 Mayall Press Art Studies

Mayall Press Art Studies

By Matt Probert


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