Playing Card Courts
Most playing cards show sequences, such as an arithmetic series from 1 to 10, and a social, courtly hierarchy from King and Queen to the commander-in-chief, knight or even the foot soldier. These sequences are differentiated by different suit symbols. However, the traditional court hierarchies are sometimes customised or updated according to popular culture, niche markets, history, mythology or new social values such as unisex or feminism.
While traditional designs remain dominant, artists and designers began creating custom decks with unique court card designs, often for collectors or special editions.
Modern English Court
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by Simon Wintle
Modern English court style by Games & Print Services Limited, c.1997.
Rowley & Co - “Monarchs of Europe”
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by Simon Wintle
In around 1775 Rowley & Co attempted to reform the traditional court cards to portraits of the kings and queens of England, France, Spain and Russia.
Suicide King
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by Simon Wintle
The King of Hearts, holding a sword behind his head, is sometimes nicknamed the “Suicide King”. He can be seen to derive from a late medieval design showing a King wielding a battle axe.
Unisex playing cards
Unisex playing cards produced by the Unisex Playing Card Company, Ontario, c.1982.