The Art & Design of Playing Cards
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.
Smart Set 400
The “Smart Set 400” brand with named backs was introduced in c.1906 by the Kalamazoo Playing Card Co. in Michigan. Kalamazoo subsequently merged with the Russell Playing Card Co. in around 1913 or 1914. Thereafter the “Smart Set 400” series continued to be published by the Russell Playing Card Co.
Tales from the Stage
"Tales from the Stage" - an article about theatrical playing cards by Rod Starling
Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights (1001 Nights Tarot)
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by Adam Wintle
This tarot deck captures the idealised Eastern world's magic from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, blending traditional archetypes with mystery and romantic allure. It celebrates the legendary Scheherazade and Eastern mysticism.
Tesseract Mobile Solitaire Games
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by Simon Wintle
Tesseract Mobile’s new Solitaire card games for Android devices features dynamic playing cards that change style...
The 52 Club
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by Simon Wintle
The London College of Printing '52 Club' Designers and Artists playing cards, 1984.
The Game of Four Queens
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by Simon Wintle
In 1988 the Danish School of Design set the examination project to design a pack of playing cards. Thomas Damkier designed this royalty deck, called “Dronningespillet” (Game of Queens).
The History of Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Playing Cards have been around in Europe since the 1370s. Some early packs were hand painted works of art which were expensive and affordable only by the wealthy. But as demand increased cheaper methods of production were discovered so that playing cards became available for everyone...
The Neva River
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by Simon Wintle
A deck designed by Victor M. Sveshnikov dedicated to the Neva river and the city of Saint Petersburg.
The Retro Deck- Pocono Modern Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
The Retro Deck, illustrated by Kraig Kalashian, was originally inspired by vintage matchbox art from the 50s, the simplicity of timeless mid-century modern design.
Transformation of Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
The best-known fantasies with playing cards are the ‘Transformation’ cards. Hand-drawing ‘transformations’ onto a pack of ordinary playing cards, with the suit symbols forming part of the overall composition, became a popular pastime 200 years ago and a test of skill in drawing. A great deal of ingenuity is required in their design. The earliest printed sets were published at the start of the 19th century, often published in the form of an almanac or sometimes known as ‘metastasis’, and these became a fashionable and entertaining novelty.
In the strict sense of the word ‘Transformation’ the pips should be in their standard positions and form part of, or fit into, the overll image portrayed on the card.
Trinidad Carnival Playing Cards
“Allfours Carnival Playing Cards” designed by Gabby Woodham, Trinidad, 1995
Truco “Únicos”
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by Simon Wintle
Naipes Truco “Únicos” with caricatures of national celebrities designed by Gerardo N. Perez, 2006.
Typographic Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Typographic Playing Cards designed by Jim Sutherland, c.2010.