The History of Playing Cards
South German Engraver
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by Simon Wintle
Conforming to an archaic format of 52 cards with banner 10s, female 'Sotas', horsemen and kings, the pack is of interest on account of a number of other packs with similar characteristics surviving elsewhere, suggesting an archaic variant of the Spanish-suited pack.
South Sea Bubble
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by Simon Wintle
The South Sea Bubble Playing Cards were first published in London by Thomas Bowles in 1720. The cards bear satirical portrayals of the speculators involved in the South Sea Bubble of 1720, providing a unique contemporary record of the feverish atmosphere of the time, as well as the fashions of dress.
Spanish National Pattern
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by Simon Wintle
Probably originating in Spain in the seventeenth century or even earlier, this pattern became strongly established by the Catalan cardmakers Rotxotxo of Barcelona.
Stuttgart pack, c.1430
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by Simon Wintle
The luxury, hand-painted Stuttgart Cards (Stuttgarter Kartenspiel) dated c.1430, with suits of ducks, falcons, stags and hounds.
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.
The Beggars’ Opera
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by Simon Wintle
The Beggars’ Opera Playing Cards were first published in 1728. The cards carry the words and music of the songs from Gay’s opera, which was intended as a parody of current Italian works. The music was taken from many popular tunes of the day.
The Combination of Images and Text on early playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
When playing cards have titles or legends these reference a written/literary tradition of some form. It connects the image to a wider cultural sphere, extending the visual impact.
The Henry Hart Puzzle
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by Paul Bostock
Explore the intricate history and unique design variations of Henry Hart's playing cards, tracing their journey from 18th-century England to America.
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 Parisian Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
The “Parisian Tarot”, early 1600s, with imagery and design synthesizing several influences.
The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440
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by Simon Wintle
The Princely Hunting Pack, c.1440/45, is attributed to Konrad Witz and his workshop in Basle.
The Steamboat Brand
The theme of steamboats navigating up and down the Mississippi also extended to the cotton plantations alongside the river and to African American people employed therein who were sometimes depicted on the special Joker card.
Trappola cards from Prague
15 Trappola playing cards possibly made by Johann Ziser of Prague, c1760.
Trevisane pattern
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by Simon Wintle
The double-ended version of the ‘Trevisane’ pattern originated in the early 19th century.
Triplicate No.18
Dougherty first secured a patent for “Triplicates” in 1876, a novel type of indices with a miniature card in the top left-hand corner (and bottom right).
Tyrolean Playing Cards
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by Matt Probert
Facsimile of patriotic 1878 Tyrolean playing cards published by Piatnik in 1992.