Simon Wintle
- Spain • 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.
Mitelli Tarocchini
The title refers to “a new form of Tarocchini”. Mitelli's designs are to a high standard of artistic quality and a complete departure from the old tradition, especially the 22 Trump cards which are unnamed and unnumbered.
Union Playing Card Co.
Not much is known about this early manufacturer who is reckoned to have traded between c.1860s-1890s.
Ye Witches’ No.62 Fortune Cards
Ye Witches Fortune Telling Cards published by the United States Playing Card Co., 1896. 52 cards + Joker + extra card in box.
Hustling Joe
Hustling Joe himself appears on the Ace of Spaces dressed in red.
Sum-it Card Game
‘Sum-it’ Card Game published by Sum-It Card Games Ltd. c.1935.
Kellogg’s Complete Breakfast Game
Kellogg’s Complete Breakfast card game, ©1997.
Schweizer Luxus-Jasskarte No.41
The lower and upper knaves are depicted in a vibrant and lively manner, while the enthroned kings are more ponderous. The traditional Swiss Shield court cards also have beer tankards with a barrel on the Deuce.
Pope Joan Trays
Some traditional Pope Joan boards comprise a circular tray, others are square, divided into sections labelled Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Intrigue and Matrimony. In the game, the Nine of Diamonds is “Pope Joan”.
Bicicleta num.810
The United States Playing Card Co. issued Spanish versions of their flagship brand.
History of Baccarat
With the advancement of the Internet, it is now possible to play baccarat in online casinos.
Fate Circular Deck
Circular Spanish-suited playing cards for FATE, 2007
Mickey Mouse y Amigos
“Mickey Mouse y Amigos” Spanish-suited pack mimicking Fournier’s Castilian pattern, 2001
Liebig Beef Extract
The first cards, or “chromos”, were published in 1872 and during the next 100 years almost 2,000 series were issued as a form of advertisement, but also educational as they cover almost every field of knowledge.
Benoist Laius
Spanish playing cards such as these were used in those parts of France where certain games were enjoyed, such as Aluette.
Insight Institute Tarot
During the late 1940s and 1950s The Insight Institute, of New Malden in Surrey, ran correspondence courses on the Tarot, which consisted of lessons with homework which was checked by tutors as well as a set of 'Authenticated' Tarot cards.
Islenzk Spil
This historical Icelandic deck was first published in c.1930 and shows the native Icelandic Vikings of some thousand years ago rendered in a romantic naturalistic style.
Thomas Wheeler
Thomas Wheeler appears in directories at 2 Richbell St (1799), 8 Middle Row, Holborn (1801), 118 Holborn Hill (1802-07) and 127 Holborn Hill (1807-21).
Leopardo 777 made in Japan for Peru
Leopardo 777 playing cards manufactured in Japan for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1960s.
Jass Allemand
Egbert Moehsnang produced this contemporary Swiss-suited, double-ended pack, based on original XV century sources, but they were shunned by card players.
Casino
“Casino” pack made by J. Müller & Cie & Cie, Schaffhouse. The pack was probably designed by Josef Maria Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.
Rococco
Designed by Josef Maria Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.
Whot
Whot was invented by William Henry Storey in 1935. It comes from the days when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside.
Egbert Moehsnang
The suit signs and indices are clear and easily recognisable, and each suit has a different predominant colour. The juxtaposition of traditional craft techniques with abstract modern design could be seen as postmodern.
Ormond Printing Co. Ltd
During the 1930s The Ormond Printing Co. Ltd produced playing cards for the Irish market with a distinctive ace of spades, joker and court cards. In 1935 the firm was acquired as a manufacturing facility for Waddington’s cards in Eire.
Zodiac Bridge
Zodiac Bridge was designed by René Marcel Rivière and printed by AGM Müller in c.1989. A different sign of the zodiac appears on the clothing of each court card figure.
Panama Souvenir 1908
1st edition of Panama Souvenir playing cards published by U.S. Playing Card Co., 1908
Alison McDonald
Artwork for The Watersprite Tarot© designed and painted by Alison McDonald.
Panama Souvenir Playing Cards
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926. The design of the cards varied between editions, and different 'fact' and map cards were also included.
Bosco by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru
‘Bosco’ Playing Cards manufactured by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1930s.
Masonic Playing Cards
A set of playing cards designed by Julien Lebleu, an original work in the history of Freemasonry. Jeu de cartes conçu par Julien Lebleu, oeuvre originale dans l'histoire de la Franc-maçonnerie.
Transformation of Playing Cards
The best-known fantasies with playing cards are the ‘Transformation’ cards. Hand-drawing ‘transformations’ onto a pack of ordinary playing cards, with the suit symbols forming part of the overall composition, became a popular pastime 200 years ago and a test of skill in drawing. A great deal of inge...
Cartes Turques
"Cartes Turques" was published in 1985. Intricate designs with a hint of orientalism, double borders and distinctive pips.
Fabrica de Cigarrillos Roldan y Cia, Lima, Peru
The design of the figures is very agile with excellent colour harmony and execution.
A World Without Playing Cards
Card games are one of the oldest forms of entertainment.
Girls’ Generation
“Girls’ Generation” (Korean: 소녀시대; Sonyeo Shidae) is a nine-member South Korean pop girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2007.
Adventures in Korea
Each card has a colour drawing of a Korean building, museum or tourist attraction with a brief description and details of how to get there.
David James Binns
Hand-made “Tudor Playing Cards” by David James Binns, age 12.
South Africa
Protea Playing Card Company, Johannesburg
Éditions Philibert
Éditions Philibert published an outstanding series of exotic, artistic playing cards in Paris from 1954 to 1960
Animal Snap
The full set of this 'Snap' card game is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a total of 36 cards.
Little Folk Misfitz
C. W. Faulkner & Co. Ltd were prolific card game manufacturers over a period of around 50 years, c.1870-1920.
Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne
Ferdinand Piatnik was born in Ofen on October 14, 1819.
Lyon Pattern type iii
This pattern was used in various parts of eastern France but was ultimately replaced by the official ‘Paris’ pattern in c.1780.
Feardiadh at the Ford jig-saw
Feardiadh at the Ford jig-saw book with illustration by Kathleen Ennis, c.1940.
Pirate Playing Cards
A recurring motif is the symbolism of life and death, playfully rendered in these marvellous cards, including plenty of sabres and skeletons!
Patience No.21
‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of cards.
Karl Gerich No.12
Karl Gerich's 12th deck is titled “Rheinland Playing Cards” and was published in 1991. lt is derived from Dondorf's Rhineland pattern, which was first published in the 1870s.
Karl Gerich No.3
Four Elements is Karl's third attempt at manufacturing playing cards.
Korean Hwatu
Hwatu (화투) cards originally came about because gambling with four-suited decks was outlawed. This ban prompted the creation of new decks and a new game.
Playing Cards & Gaming
Soon after their first appearance in Europe we hear of playing cards being banned by the authorities...
Uusi Blue Blood
Uusi Blue Blood designer playing cards by Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits, 2012.