Archives
2013 • April
American Bank Note Company
The American Bank Note Company was a long-established firm producing national currency, finely engraved stock certificates and other security printing, including postage stamps. They also entered the playing card market c.1908-1914.
Perfection Playing Card Co.
Tip-Top No.350 playing cards manufactured by Perfection Playing Card Company, Philadelphia, c.1887
L’union fait la force
“L’Union Fait la Force”, sometimes known as “the Allied pack”, has the four suits dedicated to the victorious nations of the Second World War.
The Fortune Teller's Deck
The Fortune Teller’s Deck was published in 1995 in conjunction with a book written by Jane Lyle. The deck was designed by Neil Breeden and the court cards incorporate traditional symbolism.
Épinal Tarot
The woodcuts were produced by Francois Georgin (1801-1863), a famous engraver during the Napoleonic period, retaining the composition and general features of the Tarot de Marseille.
Stairs of Gold Tarot
Whilst the titles of the cards are in Italian, the Hebrew and Sanskrit letters on the Trump cards denote, respectively, associations with the Cabbala and Vedic metaphysics.
Jeu Moyen Age
Quénioux believed that aesthetic feelings are the highest values: “C’est précisément cet amour de l’artisan pour le travail qu’il accomplit, la satisfaction intime qu’il en éprouve, qui ont donné naissance à tous les arts et qui ont fait dire que l’art est la joie dans le travail”.
Hycrest Modern Royalty
Published by the Hycrest Playing Card Co., New York, c.1931. The large suit symbol behind each figure enhances the visual impact of the deck, as does the splendid back design & Joker.
Mitelli Tarocchini
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by Simon Wintle
The title refers to “a new form of Tarocchini”. Mitelli's designs are to a high standard of artistic quality and a complete departure from the old tradition, especially the 22 Trump cards which are unnamed and unnumbered.
Imperial Royal Pack
Imperial Royal Playing Cards published by S. & J. Fuller, London, 1828. The court cards show portraits of historical figures of England, Spain, Turkey and France.
Malaysia Scenery
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by Adam Wintle
Souvenir playing cards from Malaysia featuring 56 colour photographs of scenery, wildlife, local people and Malaysian fruits with inscriptions in English describing each scene.
Malaysia Truly Asia
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by Adam Wintle
Souvenir playing cards from Malaysia featuring 56 colour photographs of skyscrapers, wildlife, local people and Malaysian fruits with inscriptions in English describing each scene.
International Playing Cards
Designed by Reuben Townroe (1835-1911), the artist who designed the ornamented terra cotta work on the exterior of the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Corona Ferrea
Trumps depict historical scenes primarily of the political period known as the Holy Roman Empire from the 6th to 16th century.
Tarocco Neoclassico
Gumppenberg published several new decks by artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear and well-engraved, in the style of the revival of antiquity, preserving the symbolic intensity of the Tarot.
Tarocchino Lombardo, c.1835
“Tarocchino Lombardo” c.1835, a limited facsimile edition of 2500 by Edizione del Solleone, Italy, 1981.
Cocktail
Aluminium playing cards manufactured by Häusermann United Chemical and Metal Engraving Co., Vienna, c.1925
Clausen Brewing
It was a common practice for card makers to produce decks under fictitious names particularly when producing advertising decks, to avoid promoting their own name at the expense of the client.
Sikar
Publicity playing cards for the Dutch credit company Sitters & van der Kar. The four Aces and Joker feature abstract geometric designs in the style of Art Deco.
Cassandre for Hermès
Promotional playing cards created by A. M. Cassandre (pseudonym of Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, 1901-1968) with abstract, almost surrealist figures and ornamentation, but clearly inspired by medieval art and rendered into an Art Deco style.
Past-L-Eze Playing Cards
On “Past-L-Eze” playing cards Kings, Queens and Jacks are no longer stodgy and conventional but pleasingly reflect suspicion, flirtation and worry.
President Suspender
An historic American advertising deck for the C. A. Edgarton Mfg Company, manufacturers of the President Suspender (known as “braces” in England) depicting U.S. Presidents and First Ladies on the courts.
Badische Spielkartenfabrik
Sports-themed playing cards published by Badische Spielkartenfabrik, Baden, c.1930
Union Playing Card Co.
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by Simon Wintle
Not much is known about this early manufacturer who is reckoned to have traded between c.1870s-1890s.
Crowquill Transformation
Transformation playing cards designed by the illustrator, comic artist and stage designer ‘Alfred Crowquill’ (Alfred Henry Forrester, 1804-72), printed by Reynolds & Sons, c.1850.