Facsimiles, Replicas & Recreations of Playing Cards
Facsimiles, Replicas & Recreations of playing cards offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of card design. This list includes various reproductions, some based on historical designs from as far back as the 1600s. Each article provides detailed information about the origins and inspirations behind the recreations.
“Deck with French suits”
A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of F.X. Schmid.
16th Century French Playing Cards based on Illustrations by Gurney Benham
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by Adam Wintle
This pack of cards by Rose & Pentagram is said to be based off Pierre Marechal, Rouen pack from the 1600s, but they are actually copies of drawings by Gurney Benham from his book Playing Cards: Their History and Secrets from 1930.
A. Dougherty’s Triplicate Recreation
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by Adam Wintle
A recreated of the original 1876, No. 18, Triplicate deck by A. Dougherty by Michael Scott in 2014.
Antike Götter
“Antike Götter” - facsimile of antique playing cards originally manufactured by C. A. Müller, Berlin, 1830.
Antique Swiss Playing Cards, c.1530
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by Simon Wintle
The Swiss national suit system of shields, acorns, hawkbells and flowers originated sometime during the fifteenth century.
Antoine Dieudonné c.1850
Reproduction of a pack by Antoine Dieudonné, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg, c1850.
Baraja El Quijote
Baraja El Quijote, facsimile of original deck designed by E. Pastor, reprinted by Naipes Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 1981.
Baraja Napoleónica
Re-edition of a French-suited Spanish pack from the Napoleonic era, with designs by J. Carrafa.
Calliope: a Renaissance band
Facsimile of cards attributed to Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480-1540) produced by ‘Calliope’, a New York City-based band.
Cards on Cards (E.H. Locker)
Artist Edward Locker’s view of London life in 1799, using every card in the pack as part of the picture.
Carte Méthodique
Reproduction of a French pack by François Silvestre intended to teach heraldry, produced in Paris in 1712.
Cartes de Luxe (1877) facsimile
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by Simon Wintle
‘Cartes de Luxe’ first published by Biermans in 1877 was reproduced in facsimile by Amstel Beer in c.1980.
Cries of London
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by Simon Wintle
The cards were printed from copper plates, with the red suit symbols being applied later by stencil. The court cards contain interesting miniature versions of the standard full-length figures used on playing cards at the time
Dames de France
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by Matt Probert
“Dames de France” published by J-M Simon based on originals by Armand Gustave Houbigant, Paris, c.1817
Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)
Eclipse Comic playing cards is a reproduction of the first transformation pack printed in the USA in 1876 by F.H. Lowerre.
EPCS June 2003 Newsletter Members Only
Museum Piece • King Richard Game • Waddington Catalogue 1975-6 • Worshipful 2002 • Shell Happy Motorists • Cambridge Crested Backs • Trump Indicators • Sugar Mystic Tarot • La Traviate - Erte • Facsimiles - Henry Margary • I Am • Rare South African Cards • The Secret of Life • Card On Cards • Little Boxes • More Tea • Smash Hits • Other Uses • Iraqi Most Wanted • Alternative Most Wanted/Poets at the Table
EPCS June 2024 Newsletter
Lenthall’s Delightful Cards • Fine China Loving Cup • 64th Pioneer Regt. A Relic of the Raj • Driving the Old Woman to Bed • Speed - the Ships • Speed 8 - Another One Found! • Czech Happy Families • French Costume Cards by de Larmessin • A Goodall Ace of Spades and A Sad Story • Scoop • (Don’t) All Shout at Once: The Fleet Street Games and Others • Parker Brothers - A Note • A Simple Piquet Pack • Astronaut • A Royal Flush • Aesop’s Fables
Etruria Minchiate
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by Simon Wintle
The Cavaliers are man/beast creatures. The Valets (or Pages) are male for clubs and swords, and female for cups and coins.