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Manufacture of Playing Cards
Traditionally cardmakers worked in guilds with long apprenticeships under master craftsmen.
Cartes Lenormand
“Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed in Germany by B. Dondorf, 1...
Donkey game from Malaysia
“Donkey” children's card game designed and created by Ooi Yan Hee, manufactured by Hee Trading Co., ...
Conjuring and Magic
The art of mystifying people is very old indeed. The first conjurers were priests who obtained power...
Early History of Playing Cards & Timeline
Out of an apparent void, a constellation of references in early literature emerge pointing to the su...
Dungeons and Dragons Tarot
This 78-card officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) tarot deck offers a visually appealing var...
Tarot of the Unknown
Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.
Canasta
Canasta is a card game of the Rummy family which originated in Uruguay probably about 1947.
Dungeons & Dragons “Curse of Strahd” Tarokka Deck
Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons game with the Tarokka Deck, a tarot-inspired set of cards that bring...
Waddington’s Playing Cards
John Waddington Limited was a leading producer of playing cards and card games in the UK during the ...
Explore
4,475 articles featuring content from 118 countries, 1,314 manufacturers and 1,094 designers; including 386 themes, 265 brands, 76 suits, 50 games and 30 licenses.
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 ►
Mamluk Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle
History of Court Cards
By Simon Wintle
Corner Indices
By Simon Wintle
Canasta
By Simon Wintle
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 ►
The History of Playing Cards
By Simon Wintle
14: Back Designs
By Ken Lodge
Playing Card Design
By Simon Wintle
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 ►
The United States Playing Card Company
By Simon Wintle
Iraqi Most Wanted Playing Cards
By Peter Burnett
X-Men Playing Cards
By Adam Wintle
Playboy playing cards
By Roddy Somerville
Nature is filled with so much beauty that it’s only natural to feel uplifted in the presence of trees & birdsong. Sitting quietly in nature opens access the deeper states of peaceful consciousness that so many are seeking. Many artists have been inspired to design playing cards after spending quality time close to nature.
• See also Botany►
Animal Grab
By Simon Wintle
Black Peter
By Sean Comstock
Animal Rummy
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Beesten Kwartet
By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
The Olympic Games offer a variety of exciting sports, plenty of action photography with international participants from around the world. They also have a long history (the first games were held in Athens in April 1896), with milestone moments, impressive achievements and visual appeal, all of which offer great possibilities for design on playing cards.
Paris 2024 Olympics 2
By Roddy Somerville
Paris 2024 Olympics 3
By Roddy Somerville
Het Olympisch kaart- en kwartetspel
By Roddy Somerville
Commemorative Olympic Playing Cards
By Ian Taylor
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.
References
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