Pictorial
Pictorial Playing Cards - De Luxe - Fabric Finish - manufactured by Alf Cooke Limited (Universal Playing Card Co.)

Pictorial Playing Cards manufactured for F. W. Woolworth & Co, 1950s-60s

Alf Cooke's range of “De Luxe Pictorial Fabric Finish Playing Cards”, in their bright orange boxes with a triangle and crown logo, were manufactured specially for F. W. Woolworth & Co. during the 1950s and 1960s. The designs were an expansion from the earlier “New Bond” series with new designs reflecting the new era marked by the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In some cases the ‘Universal Playing Card Co’ Ace of Spades is found, and in other cases the new ‘Alf Cooke Limited’ Ace is found along with the newer Joker designs.

Above: Clan Tartan Pictorial Playing Cards - De Luxe Fabric Finish - manufactured by the Universal Playing Card Co., containing two Jokers and three-colour court cards. The name ‘Alf Cooke Limited’ is printed on the box. These cards were also sold with Alf Cooke Ace of Spades as "Scottish Tartan" playing cards in a special box for Pepys Games.


Above: Pictorial Playing Cards - De Luxe Fabric Finish - manufactured by Alf Cooke Limited (Universal Playing Card Co) containing two Jokers and four-colour court cards. The Jokers have been slightly simplified by the removal of the banderole at the bottom. The Hiawatha Indian designs, available in red or green, were carried over from the earlier “New Bond” series.

Left: Pictorial Playing Cards manufactured by Alf Cooke Limited, unopened in their original tax wrapper c.1955-60.

Above: New Bond pack with the crown motif on the box and Alf Cooke ace of spades, 1960s. Courtesy Matt Probert.

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Related Articles

Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

Agent Provocateur
Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.

Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...

The Decadent Deck
Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.

Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.

Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...

Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893
A glimpse into a busy print and design office in late Victorian London.

Batman® playing cards
Batman playing cards published by InterCol of London 1989.

Can You Believe Your Eyes?
“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.

Pastime Playing Cards for the Blind
The “Pastime” Playing Cards for the Blind manufactured by Goodall & Son Limd., c.1910.

Songs with Flute accompaniment
Eighteenth century English engraved cards with music for voice and flute.

Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!

Ben 10 playing cards
Characters from the American animated television science fantasy series Ben 10.

Doctor Who Trump Card Game
Game for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion join battle with the Alien Hordes....

Disney’s Aladdin playing cards
Characters from the 1992 Disney film Aladdin.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days