Standard Playing Card Patterns
Standard patterns are when a certain design becomes established in a certain region and all local manufacturers produce a version of it. It then becomes traditional in that region or in other regions where it is adopted.
Some modern patterns are descendants of patterns used three of four hundred years ago. For example, the widely-used standard Anglo-American pattern seen today derives from sixteenth century French designs.
‘501’ playing cards by Alf Cooke
“Five 'o One” playing cards, a version of the Dondorf Rhineland pattern, manufactured by Universal Playing Card Co. Ltd for export to Scandinavia.
16: European Standard Playing Cards
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by Ken Lodge
A brief survey of the different types of standard cards to be found in Continental Europe.
19: 19th Century Breaks With Tradition - Unusual Versions of the Standard English Pattern
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by Ken Lodge
The centuries-long tradition of English court cards was subject to misinterpretation and in some cases a desire for individuality. Here are some examples of breaks with that tradition.
25: More Standard European Cards
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by Ken Lodge
A further selection of European standard patterns including various redrawings.
63: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 1
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by Ken Lodge
A great many regional patterns were exported from France and subsequently copied elsewhere. Some of them became local standards in their own right.
64: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 2
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by Ken Lodge
A continuation of the development of the off-spring of the Paris patterns and a few examples of how the French regional figures have inspired modern designers.
A. Camoin & Cie, Casablanca & Marseille
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by Simon Wintle
Spanish national pattern by A. Camoin & Cie, Casablanca & Marseille
AGMüller English Pattern
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by Matt Probert
AGMüller standard English pattern for the Royal Jordanian Airline, 1980s
Bohemian Pattern
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by Simon Wintle
The Bohemian Pattern, sometimes called the Prager Pattern, has roots in the 16th century.
Dauphiné Pattern - Portrait du Dauphiné
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by Simon Wintle
The Dauphiné pattern is an archaic French pattern which was manufactured in the Lyon region from the 17th century.
Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein
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by Simon Wintle
Brepols Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein distillery, c.1960.
Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty
“Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty” (Czech Seasons playing cards) made by Obchodní Tiskárny, c.1980.
Early German playing cards
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by Simon Wintle
Some early examples of popular German playing cards from the XV and XVI centuries.
Epokha vozrozhdeniya (Age of Enlightenment)
Epokha vozrozhdeniya (Age of Enlightenment): this pack has effectively become the Russian standard.