Playing Cards by J J Nunes
Playing Cards by J J Nunes, Lisbon, Portugal

Above: German-style 'Whist No.32' playing cards made in Portugal by J. J. Nunes, c.1930s. After the demise of Real Fabrica de Lisboa in 1870 Belgian and German exporters virtually took over the Portuguese and Brazilian markets and French-suited cards such as these became more popular. Image courtesy Sally McBurney. See more →
Algarve Playing Cards by J J Nunes, Lisbon, Portugal, 1977

Above: Algarve produced by V. de J.J. Nunes for Edição Rotep, Lisbon, Portugal, 1977 see more →

Left and above: this is the most common design published by J. J. Nunes, which was issued for several decades. It is based on a German design.

Above: a copy of Dondorf's 'Four Continents' Patience.


By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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