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The Art & Design of Playing Cards

Playing Card Design

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.

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Math Stack

Math Stack

“Math Stack” playing cards designed by Diana Stanciulescu, illustrating and explaining 36 important mathematical constants, published by EduStack in India

Matyó-Bridge No.50

Matyó-Bridge No.50

The court cards in this delightful Art Deco pack represent persons in various colourfully embroidered folkloric costumes. Designed by Hungarian artist Ilona Radnainé Szöredi.

Maya Deck

Maya Deck

The Maya Deck produced by Stancraft for Hoyle, 1976.

Metropol NOX Playing Cards

Metropol NOX Playing Cards

A custom deck of playing cards designed with a modern, minimalist flair.

Modern Aces of Spades

Modern Aces of Spades

Many modern aces of spades are anonymous so that, in the absence of any other information, the collector has difficulty deciding who made them.

Monsters

Monsters

A collective of artists known as Monster Illustration produced a deck entitled “Monsters” in 2004.

Müller: Richelieu

Müller: Richelieu

This deck is named after Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, Cardinal-Duc de Richelieu (1585-1642), a French Roman Catholic Clergyman and statesman, Chief Adviser to King Louis XIII, noted for the authoritarian measures he employed to maintain power.

Museum of Modern Art

Museum of Modern Art

Museum of Modern Art playing cards designed by Takenobu Igarashi.

Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol

Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol

‘Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol’ with Gaucho designs by Julio F. Parada Seifert capturing the spirit of Argentine country life, 2005.

Naipe Estilo Español “Siglo XXI”

Naipe Estilo Español “Siglo XXI”

Naipe Estilo Español “Siglo XXI” created by Florencia Marotta, 2005.

Naipes ‘La Criolla’ by Anabella Corsi

Naipes ‘La Criolla’ by Anabella Corsi

Inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Naipes Finos — No.304 Spanish Pack

Naipes Finos — No.304 Spanish Pack

Spanische Spielkarten "Naipes Finos" No.304, manufactured by B. Dondorf designed by the catalan artist Apel-les Mestres, Barcelona, 1902.

Naipes Garaycochea

Naipes Garaycochea

Humorous playing cards designed by Carlos Garaycochea, Buenos Aires, c.2002.

Naipes Tango by Arco Iris

Naipes Tango by Arco Iris

Naipes Tango by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, 1999.

Neue Deutsche Spielkarte

Neue Deutsche Spielkarte

Neue Deutsche Spielkarte (Reformkarte) conceived by Dr. Timon Schroeter, 1883.

New Era No.46

New Era No.46

“New Era No.46”, based around European fashions, was soon followed with “Circus No.47”, “Hustling Joe No.61” and “Ye Witches No.62”.

New Figures by A. I. Charlemagne, 1862

New Figures by A. I. Charlemagne, 1862

“Renaissance” playing card designed by A I Charlemagne 1862. but not published until 2018.

New Jacob’s Bible Cards

New Jacob’s Bible Cards

New Jacob’s Bible Cards published by Lion Playing Cards, Tel Aviv

Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur

Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur

Newtropolis and the Fantastic Fur: Heroes vs. Villains playing cards illustrated by Peter Wood, 2015.

Nine Lives Playing Cards

Nine Lives Playing Cards

Nine Lives Playing Cards designed by Annette Abolins, 2016