Archives
2023 • July
Novelty Playing Cards
Standard designs by M.F. Milward of Chicago, resembling those of Andrew Dougherty.
Motoveteráni
‘Motoveteráni’ playing cards featuring the photographs of Robert Sobčák, Czech Republic,
Baraja Mística
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by Simon Wintle
‘Baraja Mística’ satirical playing-cards featuring revelling clergy published by Litografía Fernández, Madrid.
De La Rue Pocket Guides
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by Tony Hall
The 19th Century saw the production, by all of the major companies, of pocket guides or “mini-books” on every type of game.
National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum with drawings by Stuart Black, United Kingdom, 1993.
Alaska scenic playing cards
Alaska scenic playing cards featuring scenes of Alaskan life, USA, c. 1960.
Révolution 1789-1989
Révolution 1789-1989, celebrating the bicentenary of the French revolution, France, 1989
Scaramouche
Scaramouche cartes à jouer with designs by Henri Favre, published by Le Triboulet, France.
Early German playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
Some early examples of popular German playing cards from the XV and XVI centuries.
Will’s Cigarettes and Auction Bridge
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by Tony Hall
In 1926 Will’s issued a set of 25 cigarette cards on Auction Bridge, presenting a range of hands illustrating various circumstances in play.
The Club Series by G. Bell & Sons
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by Tony Hall
George Bell & Sons produced ‘The Club Series’ of books each specialising in one or more of the popular games of the period.
Hoyle v Foster: whose name should we remember?
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by Tony Hall
Hoyle’s name is associated with the rules by which many games are played, particularly card games But If anyone deserves to be regarded as the source of standard rules for most card games today it is not Hoyle but Robert Frederick Foster (1853-1945).
Psychology, Numerology and playing cards
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by Ana Cortez
Numerology assigns significance to individual digits and their combinations, considering them as symbols with inherent meanings.
Jeu Tour de France 89 (Domex)
Cyclists from the Domex-Weinmann team who took part in the 1989 Tour de France.
Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares
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by Tony Hall
Cribbage Patience or Cribbage Squares, produced by Messrs Edward Mortimer, Halifax and London.
Hoyle and his Legacy
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by Tony Hall
Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) was an English writer who made his name by writing on whist and a selection of other games.
Handmade Ganjifa Birds Playing Cards
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by Ian Taylor
This set of Ganjifa cards is a beautiful example of traditional cards from India.
Tík Táck vodka
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by Ian Taylor
A brightly coloured pack promoting “Tík Táck” cane vodka from Destileria La Central S.A. in El Salvador.
A New Look at the Evolution of Whist Markers and Gaming Counters
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by Tony Hall
This article aims to illustrate the evolution of whist and gaming counters from the 18th century to the 20th.
Auvergne Pattern - Portrait d'Auvergne
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by Simon Wintle
The Auvergne pattern is one of the oldest in France.
Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur
Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur: Heroes vs. Villains playing cards illustrated by Peter Wood, 2015.
P. Buscaglia: Spanish-suited cards
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by Simon Wintle
Spanish-suited cards published by P. Buscaglia, Mele & Genova.
Whist writers and pseudonyms
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by Tony Hall
Why did so many early writers about whist and other card games feel the need to write under a pseudonym?
Whist marker boxes
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by Tony Hall
The Camden Whist marker was being advertised by Goodall and son in 1872 as a new product.
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods
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by Tony Hall
Bridge Markers and bridge scoring methods 1900-1930
Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie
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by Simon Wintle
‘Cartes Catalanes’ published by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris)
Wagner’s “Ring” playing cards
Wagner’s “Ring” playing cards, with illustrations by Sir Arthur Rackham, published by Prospero Art, USA, 2010.
B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia
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by Simon Wintle
Spanish-suited pack made in France for sale in Bolivia, c.1880.
Famous Pirates (2006)
Famous Pirates playing cards with artworks, prints, artefacts & pirate sayings, USA, 2006.
Le carte di Tex
Characters from the famous Italian comic book series, Tex, created by Gian Luigi Bonelli and Aurelio Galleppini.