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.
Souvenir of Turkey
Souvenir of Turkey playing cards by KS Games with scenic photographs on every card.
Souvenir of New Zealand
Souvenir of New Zealand produced by Hema Maps NZ Limited
Snap
Spear’s “Snap” card game from the 1920s.
Air Malta
‘Air Rummy’ playing cards published by Air Malta, late 1990s.
Australia by Steve Parish
Australia souvenir deck with photography by Steve Parish
Millennium
‘Millennium’ limited edition playing cards by Carta Mundi, 1999
British American Tobacco patience
Patience deck for British American Tobacco printed by Speelkaartenfabriek Nederland c.1940
1900 Jeu de Cartes
‘Jeu de Cartes 1900’ designed by Marie Christine Schira in the Art Nouveau or Jugendstil style, 1979.
Caledonian Airways “European Phrases”
“European Phrase” playing cards produced for Caledonian Airways, 1994.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines A330 flying experience souvenir playing cards
British Birds
Pepys “British Birds” card game with colour pictures, c.1968.
Food Exchange
“Food Exchange“ playing cards designed by Ralph Dobson for the British Diabetic Association.
Bath and the Cotswolds
“Bath and the Cotswolds” souvenir pack of cards published by John McLean of Edinburgh, c.1990.
SiRen International
“SiRen International” playing cards based on traditional style of Indian miniature painting, 1998
Popular No.257
Piatnik’s “Popular Playing Cards” No.257
Breaking Bad Playing Cards
“Breaking Bad” fan deck designed by Albino Dragon and manufactured by the USPCC in 2014.
Canary Islands Souvenir
Canary Islands Souvenir by Heraclio Fournier, c.1970.
Pirates et Corsaires
“Pirates et Corsaires” playing cards illustrated by Jean Bruneau, 1984.
Héron French tarot
French edition of the ‘Bourgeois’ Tarot by Héron.
Tarot des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris
Tarot des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris, a French Fire Brigade tarot deck published by Éditions Dusserre.
Royal Dutch Mail
Elegant “Nieuw Neerlandia” pattern designed by M.A. Koekkoek and produced by Speelkaartenfabriek Nederland, c.1930s
Salzburger Pattern
Salzburger pattern by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna
Eastern Airlines and Ryder Trucks by Hoyle
Dual advertising deck for Eastern Airlines and Ryder Trucks, produced by Hoyle, 1983.
Strongbow ‘House of Horror’
‘House of Horror’ Halloween deck published by Strongbow cider, 2015.
Views from Norway
“54 Views from Norway” souvenir playing cards published by Normanns Kunstforlag A/S, c.1990s.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff mobile network playing cards, 2015.
Game of Thrones
“Game of Thrones” playing cards are an official fan deck associated with the HBO adaptation of the books by George R.R. Martin.
Lucky Buddha Beer
Deck made in China in c.2010 advertising the Chinese brew “Lucky Beer, the enlightened beer”
Terracotta Army
Each card has a different photo of elements of the terracotta army whose purpose was to protect the emperor Qin Shi Huang in his afterlife.
Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin
“Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin” collectible playing cards, made in China, c.2010.
DC Comic Bombshells
Stylish playing cards featuring the glamorous, superpowered female stars of the alternate reality world of DC Comics, published by 'Forbidden Planet', 2015
University of Essex
A deck of cards produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006.
Prime Arts
Prime Arts Playing Cards were published in 2004 featuring the work of contemporary artists, illustrators and photographers.
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Souvenir deck from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin containing photographs from museum collections and archives on each card.
Canadian National Railways
Canadian National Railways souvenir deck, dated to 1927. Every card is gilt edged, and carries a different photograph of Canada.
Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure
Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure playing cards promoting the ultimate hair perfection.
Sony Tape Rock ‘N’ Pop Playing Cards
Deck featuring “18 Rock ‘n’ Pop” Superstars portrayed on the court cards and jokers by eight of Britain’s leading illustrators.
Die Neue ÖVP
Promotional deck for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) printed by Piatnik, 1996.
N.A.S.A. Aircraft
Lessons of a Widowmaker and Other NASA Aircraft, c.2010.
Jacqueline Wilson Playing Cards
“Jacqueline Wilson” playing cards were illustrated by Nick Sharratt and published by Winning Moves UK Ltd in 2007.
Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera
A very impressive deck of cards featuring 54 different images from “Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera” published by HCG Poker Productions, 2005
Empire Card Company: Star Playing Cards
The “Star” special pack of playing cards manufactured by Thomas De la Rue under their Empire Card Co subsidiary, c.1910.
Grolsch Brewery
A somewhat unusual deck specially designed for Grolsch Breweries evoking self-expression and independence of spirit, c.2012
Secret Magic Cards
‘Secret Magic Cards’ published by Hanky Panky Toys Thailand Ltd., © World Magic International, 2006.
Willeb Cartes Piquet 502
Éditions Willeb Cartes à Jouer Piquet - Belote - Manille Laquées 502
Ian Schrager Hotels
Advertising/souvenir deck of cards associated with the Ian Schrager chain of luxury hotels.
Madeira Souvenir
“Ilha da Madeira” Souvenir playing cards with 54 colour views of the archipelago.
Olivia’s Lucky Ladies
“Olivia’s Lucky Ladies” glamour model playing cards produced by Ozone Productions Ltd, USA, 2004
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian-made deck of cards produced for Malaysian Airline Systems (MAS).
Tobacco advertising
Advertising decks made in Belgium by A. Van Genechten, 1960s.
Legendary Land’s End
“Legendary Land’s End” deck by John Hinde showing photographic views of Land’s End, Cornwall (UK)