The World of Playing Cards Logo

Fan DACK Playing CARD

Published February 05, 2023 Updated February 05, 2023

Unusual cards in the shape of skittles, intended for fanning.

1972 Japan Yutaka Kikuchi Fanning

* title as it appears on the long sides of the box.

Packs of cards in unusual shapes are not uncommon nowadays (2023) but were much less common in the early 1970s. Hence, this pack must have stood out as being different. The cards are shaped like skittles or bowling pins and were almost certainly intended for fanning by magicians rather than for serious play. A standard design format has been used throughout. On the Joker one can read “72. Y. Kikuchi.”, Y. Kikuchi being the designer (Yutaka Kikuchi) and 72 being the year of production (1972). See the box

“Fan DACK Playing CARD”, probably Nintendo, Japan, 1972 “Fan DACK Playing CARD”, probably Nintendo, Japan, 1972 legend from box of “Fan DACK Playing CARD”

Above: “Fan DACK Playing CARD”, maker’s name not evident but probably Nintendo, Japan, 1972. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 65 x 202 mm approx.

avatar
558 Articles

By Roddy Somerville

Member since May 31, 2022

Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.

Related Articles

1995 Iroha Karuta for Hino City

Iroha Karuta for Hino City

Special version of Iroha Karuta, a traditional Japanese matching game, made for Hino City, Tokyo.

1990 Iroha Karuta

Iroha Karuta

Traditional Japanese matching game played mainly by children.

Playing cards with prints by Sumio Kawakami

Playing cards with prints by Sumio Kawakami

Woodblock print designs created by Sumio Kawakami in 1938-9, each card having a different illustrati...

1975 Hanuman and the Five Riders

Hanuman and the Five Riders

A selection cards showing characters from the 1975 Thai-Japanese film.

Managing cards without corner indices

Managing cards without corner indices

For many hundreds of years cards had no corner indices, were square cut and mostly made from card wi...

1995 Guanlangaoshou / Slam Dunk playing cards

Guanlangaoshou / Slam Dunk playing cards

Basketball-themed manga animated playing cards from Japan.

1987 Sylvanian Families mini playing cards

Sylvanian Families mini playing cards

Miniature cards in sheet form with Sylvanian Families characters on the courts and Jokers.

2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” video game characters on playing cards, Japan, 2008

1978 Banjo playing cards

Banjo playing cards

Banjo playing cards featuring the collection of Akira Tsumura, Japan, c. 1978.

1955 Kyoto Souvenir Deck

Kyoto Souvenir Deck

Kyoto Souvenir playing cards by Nintendo aimed at the up and coming tourist industry, 1950s.

2022 Back to the 80s Lenormand

Back to the 80s Lenormand

History meets pop culture in a 36-card set that pays tribute to Lenormand's legacy and the colourful...

1971 Seiko fashion cards

Seiko fashion cards

Men's and ladies fashion playing cards published for the Seiko Corporation by Nintendo, Japan, 1971....

1982 Flora playing cards

Flora playing cards

Flora playing cards made by the Angel Playing Card Co., Kyoto, 1982.

1960 Nippon Beer

Nippon Beer

Nippon Beer brewery playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan, 1960s.

1967 Glico Almond Chocolate

Glico Almond Chocolate

Glico Almond Chocolate playing cards with designs by Izumi Tamai, produced by Nintendo, Japan.

1982 Panty cards

Panty cards

Panty cards designed by Hide Takagaki, Japan, 1982.