Matt Probert
- United Kingdom • Member since March 02, 2012
I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
Versailles
Sumptuous ‘Versailles’ playing cards created by Matéjà and printed by B. P. Grimaud, c.1970
New Jacob’s Bible Cards
New Jacob’s Bible Cards published by Lion Playing Cards, Tel Aviv
I. Hardy facsimile
Facsimile edition of 19th century I. Hardy Exportation deck complete with reproduction tax wrapper, c.1980s.
Jeu de Cartes Napoléon
Deck created by Matéja celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of Napoleon (1769-1969)
Rush Hour
“Rush Hour” by Universal Publications Ltd, London, c.1935.
Fair Play cross cultural playing cards
“Fair Play” cross cultural playing cards illustrated by Canadian artist Stephen B. MacInnes.
Scottish Picture Playing Cards
Scottish Picture Playing Cards featuring photographs by Colin Baxter.
East African Playing Cards
East African Playing Cards by Heraclio Fournier S.A., 1957.
Chérie
Chérie No 7022 designed by Hans & Louise Neupert, nice vibrant artwork, swinging 60s
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, Beijing, China, c.1998.
Biermans Genoese pattern
Biermans Genoese pattern for Clayson agricultural machinery, late 1960s.
The Blue Train (Bloutrein)
“The Blue Train” playing cards from the luxury train service in South Africa.
Mayall Press Art Studies
Photographic playing cards - each face having an "art study" of a female nude, Mayall Press, Stockwell, London, c.1946.
Norway’s Beauty Spots
Views of Norway’s Beauty Spots Souvenir playing cards published by Nyborg in collaboration with Oslo Travel Association, 1950s.
Vienna (ex-Lyon) pattern
‘Vienna pattern’ derived from archaic Lyon pattern by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne A.G., c.1926-1934.
Prince of Wales National Relief Fund 1914
A two-pack patience set produced by Thomas De la Rue on behalf of the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund in 1914.
Saint-Martin Island Souvenir
St-Martin Island Souvenir published by Editions Exbrayat.
Fairy Brand Round Playing Cards No.200A
Fairy Brand Round Playing Cards No.200A
Maxi Puke 201 Circus Poker
Maxi Puke 201 Circus Poker brand produced by Wenyu Paper Products, Shanghai.
Pack of Royals
Willie Rushton’s “Pack of Royals” featuring caricatures of the Royal Family, 1995.
Jacob’s Bible Cards
Jacob’s Bible Cards published by Lion Playing Cards Factory Ltd, Tel Aviv, since mid-1950s.
Comtesse
“Comtesse” by Bielefelder Spielkarten Fabrik GmbH, 1961.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft Tomb Raider 20 Years Commemorative Deck, 2016.
Armchair Cricket
Armchair Cricket by ex-professional County Cricket player Don Arnold was first marketed by Norfolk House Enterprises in 1983.
Cyprus Souvenir
Cyprus Souvenir playing cards published by Editions Michalis Toubis S.A., 1998.
Walkers Shortbread
Advertising Deck for Walkers Shortbread, c.1998.
Pleisure Pub Group Bible #3
It doesn’t matter if the glass is half empty or half full... it always needs topping up with these delicious cocktail recipe cards...
Four Days of Walking Event
Dutch playing cards promoting the annual International Four Days of Walking Event held in Holland, 2016
St Petersburg Souvenir
St Petersburg Souvenir playing cards, 2004
Missouri State Souvenir
Missouri Souvenir playing cards designed by OnPoint Speciality products in the USA, 2017.
Russia Souvenir Playing Cards
Russia Souvenir Playing Cards published by The Bronze Horseman, c.2004.
Cities of Art - Naples
Striking views of Naples, photography by Cesare Gerolimetto, produced by Dal Negro.
What the Butler Saw
“What the Butler Saw” playing cards depicting tasteful photography of the female body.
90 Minutes Playing Cards
90 Minutes Playing Cards by IPC Magazines 1993.
M/S Kronprins Harald
Souvenir of Jahre Line Ferry M/S Kronprins Harald
Piccadilly Patience
Piccadilly Patience by Piatnik, c.1955
Dragon Fight
Dragon Fight card game by Playmobil ®, 2014.
Old Huckleberry Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Old Huckleberry Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with a retro vintage feel
British Airways Concorde
British Airways Concorde playing cards made in Belgium by Carta Mundi, before 2003.
Bridge Challenger®
“Bridge Challenger®” by Fidelity Electronics, 1975 - better living through science.
Bulgaria Souvenir
Bulgaria Souvenir by Land of Roses Ltd.
Bicycle Heritage
Bicycle Heritage playing cards by the United States Playing Card Company, 2012
Rococo Playing Cards
Piatnik’s Rococo style playing cards issued as “Rococo Patience”, “Luxus-Patience”, “Empire Patience”, “White Horse Patience”, “Patience-Whist No.140” and “Mini Patience”
Fish Playing Cards
Fish Playing Cards for Maldives by Parksons Games.
Pharaonic Souvenir of Egypt
Pharaonic Souvenir of Egypt, c.2010
Sony IBC’86
Sony IBC’86 complimentary pack showcasing latest electronic and digital equipment as it stood in 1986.
Nestlé Happy Families
‘Happy Families’ published by Nestlé in 1935.
F. X. Schmid Mini-Patience
Miniature Patience playing cards in Rococo style published by F. X. Schmid, c.1960
100 Pipers
100 Pipers Scotch Whisky promotional deck, Waddingtons P.C.Co., c.1973. Includes a Tarot pack offer.
Punch Studio: ‘Geisha Girls’
‘Geisha Girls’ playing cards published by Punch Studio, Culver City, CA., 2013
Test Pilot
‘Test Pilot’, illustrated by A. B. Bowbeer and published by Pepys Games, 1950s.