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.
Tarocco Piedmontese, Buenos Aires c.1900
Tarocco Piedmontese by Fabrica de Naipes La Primitiva, Moreno 248, Buenos Aires c.1900
Tarocco Piemontese | Piedmontese tarot
The double ended version of the Piedmontese Tarot evolved during the second half of the nineteenth century, most probably in Turin. It is still produced and used today.
Tarots Egipcios Kier
The “Tarots Egipcios” was first published by Editorial Kier S.A. in c.1971 with Spanish titles, with a booklet (also in Spanish) explaining the cabbalistic meanings of the cards.
Teddy Bear playing cards & artwork
Teddy Bear playing cards & artwork, 1996.
Tensho Mekuri - Japan
Tensho Mekuri cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, 2003.
The ‘Parisian’ Spanish pattern
A version of the old Spanish National pattern which was manufactured by Parisian card makers in the 19th century for export to South America.
The Beggars’ Opera
The Beggars’ Opera Playing Cards were first published in 1728. The cards carry the words and music of the songs from Gay’s opera, which was intended as a parody of current Italian works. The music was taken from many popular tunes of the day.
The Book of Trades by Jost Amman, 1588
The Book of Trades by the prolific German Renaissance artist Jost Amman (1539-91). Suits are books, printers' pads, wine-pots and drinking cups.
The Deal Playing-card Project
A deck of cards produced as a creative collaboration and made possible largely through volunteers and sponsorship of various kinds.
The Enchanted Journey
The Enchanted Journey
The Enchanted Journey
Cards from the delightful Enchanted Journey playing-cards by Karen Curran of Australia.
The Five Minute Handwriting Analysis Kit
Handwriting Insights - the 5 minute handwriting analysis kit - allows you to better understand people, including yourself, by looking at the way they write.
The Hemp Culture Playing Cards
There is an underlying element of subtle humour in these cleverly designed playing cards, gently questioning the issue of legality.
The Llewellyn Tarot - Welsh tarot cards
The Llewellyn Tarot - Welsh tarot cards
The Monkey
‘The Monkey’ poker playing cards manufactured by M.C. de Casabó Ltda, Uruguay, c.1950.
The Peerless Playing Card Company, London c.1890
James English's playing card factory was re-named Peerless in around 1880 when the title Peerless Card Company appeared on the ace of spades.
The Princely Hunting pack, c.1440
The Princely Hunting Pack, c.1440/45, is attributed to Konrad Witz and his workshop in Basle.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot, c.1460
This pack of tarot cards appears to have have been made in the Bembo workshop in Cremona for Bianca Maria Visconti, c.1460.
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards was founded by Royal Charter in 1628.
Thomson-Leng Tarot
The Thomson-Leng Tarot Cards were issued by the publishers of women's magazines during the 1930s. The cards are loosely based upon the Rider-Waite tarot.
Torcacita, c.1945-65
Naipes Naipes Torcacita, c.1945-65. Spanish-suited playing cards made by Orestes A. Cappellano; several examples from between c.1945-70.
Torras y Lleó, Barcelona, Spain, c.1838-1921
Francisco Torras y Lleó was a playing-card maker in calle Carmen, Barcelona, who flourished during the period 1838-1860.
Toyo playing cards No.88 for Peru
Toyo playing cards No.88 manufactured in China for the “Estanco de Naipes del Perú”, 1950s.
Transformation Playing Cards, 1811
Transformation playing cards, first published in 1811. Each card bears a picture in which the suit marks are concealed within the design. This artistic exercise began as a late 18th century pastime.
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, and not before 1776 by some estimates.
Unsun Karuta
Unsun Karuta うんすんかるた Japan c.1780.
Uruguay playing card tax
In 1806 the Council of Concepción del Uruguay imposed an 8 Peso tax on card and billiard tables on account of “the detrimental effect on poor and innocent people”
W. H. Willis & Co
Willis & Company was formed in 1869, having been preceded by Charles Steer at the same address (80 Long Acre, London), who also manufactured playing cards during the 1850s and 60s.
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series.
Waddington’s “Flying” Series, 1933
Waddington’s “Flying” Series, 1933.
Waddington’s “Rural England” Series, 1933
Waddington’s "Rural England" Series, 1933.
Waddington’s 1933 Trade Brochure
Waddington’s 1933 Trade Brochure.
Waddington’s Cir-Q-Lar Playing Cards
Waddington's Cir-Q-Lar Playing Cards, c.1930
Waddington’s Clan Tartan Series
Waddington’s Clan Tartan Series, 1933.
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933.
Waddington’s Dog Series
Waddington’s Dog Series, 1933
Waddington’s Encore Series
Waddington’s Encore Series 1933.
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Waddington’s Sporting Birds Series 1933
Waddington’s Sporting Birds Series 1933.
Waddington’s Sporting Series
Waddington’s Sporting Series, 1933.
Waddington’s Varsity Series
Waddington’s Varsity Series.
Waddington’s Wildlife and Classic Series, 1933
Waddington’s Wildlife and Classic Series, 1933.
Walt Disney playing cards
‘Naipes Donald’, children's miniature Spanish-suited Walt Disney playing cards, Uruguay, c.1990.
War Aid
Hadsegélyzö Kártya ('War Aid Pack' or 'War Aid Cards') Nr. 63 designed by Leo Kober and first published by Piatnik, Budapest, in 1917.
War Aid 2
Hungarian War Aid Playing Cards
Welcome to ‘On The Cards’
A Gallery of Playing Card Artists and Designers
Wild! by Peter Wood
Wild! by Peter Wood.
World of Playing Cards Links
Links to other playing card websites
XV Century Italian Playing Cards
Cards from a pack of an early form of north Italian playing cards, with the swords back-to-back and curved outwards. Believed to be Venetian, dated 1462.
Zoo Comics
ZOO COMICS animated playing cards made by Litografía Ferri, Valencia (Spain), first published in 1968.
Estate Playing Cards
Estate Playing Cards with five suits designed by Keith Wilson