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.
Rodolfo de Olea : “El Elefante”
“El Elefante” Cadiz pattern by Rodolfo de Olea Viaña, 1899.
Divine Art
Divine Art Playing Cards by Sunish Chabba & Guru Playing Card Company, 2016.
Thoth Tarot – Aleister Crowley Tarot
Aleister Crowley Tarot – the sombre luminary – Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris worked on the illustrations between 1938 and 1943
Perspectives on the History of Tarot
Tarot, originally a 15th century card game from Italy, has evolved into a form of personal mysticism and spiritual exploration, offering new visions of expanding awareness.
Georg Kapfler
Antique deck of old Bohemian playing cards of the German type manufactured by Georg Kapfler and dated 1611.
Cartas Gitanas
The designs of these fortune-telling cards are largely taken from nineteenth century Austrian "Rural Scenes" Tarock cards.
Elephante No.50
‘Elephante No.50’ Cadiz pattern produced in Brazil, probably by Azevedo & Cia, Recife, c.1920.
Cádiz Pattern playing cards
A popular Spanish playing card pattern widely exported to Spanish-influenced markets.
Naipes Garaycochea
Humorous playing cards designed by Carlos Garaycochea, Buenos Aires, c.2002.
Sola-Busca Tarocchi
The Sola-Busca Tarocchi, c.1491
Master of the Playing Cards
Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455
Desafio Football Caricatures
“Desafio” playing cards with football player caricatures, c.2000
Donald Duck Groente & Fruit Pretkwartet
Donald Duck Vegetables & Fruit Quartet exclusive from Jumbo supermarkets, © Disney 2016.
Roche Playing Cards
Roche Pharmaceutical playing cards, 1980s.
Cartas Precolombinas
Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001.
World Cup ’98
World Cup ’98 football team pack for Paradigma Consulting Group, 2000.
I. Schenck, Nuremberg
I. Schenck, Nuremberg, late XVIIIth century
One Piece Hana Fuda
One Piece Hanafuda King card set published by Beverly Enterprises Inc, Tokyo, 2010
Seoul Tower Hwatu
This special ‘Hwatu’ card set has all the traditional 48 flower cards given a modern graphic treatment.
Carel de Wagenaer
Facsimile edition of cards first published by Carel de Wagenaer, Amsterdam in c.1698
DRRR!!
DRRR!!, short for Durarara!!, is an anime adaptation of a Japanese light novel written by Ryohgo Narita.
Children’s Vocabulary Cards
Thai Children’s Colour Vocabulary Cards promoting Ovaltine chocolate malt drink, 2016.
Vistas de Lima
Souvenir of Peru playing cards made by Standard Playing Card Co., Chicago, c.1910
Merry Andrews Happy Families
Merry Andrews - the very Happy Families, published by Scott & Turner Ltd, 1936.
Whimsical Playing Cards
Whimsical Playing Cards by Turkish designer & illustrator Oksal Yesilok, 2016.
English Electric Valve Company Ltd
Special pack made for the English Electric Valve Company Ltd Chelmsford, 1989.
Wills 200th Anniversary
Double pack commemorating the 200th anniversary of W.D & H.O. Wills Ltd, 1786 - 1986.
Mundialito de Radiolandia 2000
‘Mundialito’ toy football playing cards published inside the magazine ‘Radiolandia 2000’, Argentina, 1978.
Deakin’s 3rd edition
Deakin’s Political Playing Cards 3rd edition, c.1888.
‘El Cid’ by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain
‘El Cid’ playing cards manufactured by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain.
Baraja Gaucha
“Baraja Gaucha” fantasy deck designed by Mateo Tikas Plechas for Argentina, 1998.
Baraja Asescoin 1998
Asescoin 1998 member’s pack designed by Josep Soriano.
El Aguila
Naipes ‘El Aguila’ with flamboyantly dressed court figures made in Mexico by La Cubana S.A., c.1975.
Art for the Earth
“Art for the Earth” Transformation Deck published by Andrew Jones Art for Friends of the Earth, 1992.
Jeu de l’an 2
“Jeu de l’an 2” by Grimaud is a facsimile of French Revolutionary cards first published by Veuve Mouton in c.1793
Jeu Romantique de Nanteuil
“Jeu Romantique de Nanteuil” published by Éditions Dusserre, Paris, based on originals published in 1838.
La Baraja
Anonymous “La Baraja” Spanish deck, c.2005.
Hidden meanings in painting by Jheronimus Bosch
Medieval View of Gambling in the ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’ by Jheronimus Bosch
When three brands merge...
After De la Rue factories were bombed in 1940 their cards were printed by Waddingtons. In 1962 Waddingtons and De la Rue combined forces to form the Amalgamated Playing Card Co.
Astérix
Cartes à Jouer ‘Astérix’ published by Ducale, 1987.
Sam
SAM by J. Jaques & Son Ltd.
Pedro Domecq
Anglo-American pattern for Pedro Domecq Mexican brandy made by Productos Leo S.A., c.2000.
Modern Swiss-German Pattern
Modern Swiss-German Pattern by AGMüller, c.2000.
The Neva River
A deck designed by Victor M. Sveshnikov dedicated to the Neva river and the city of Saint Petersburg.
Peterhof
“Peterhof” deck manufactured at the St Petersburg Colour Printing Plant in 1999.
Back to the USSR
Back to the USSR deck featuring communist party leaders and politicians, c.1995
Glorious Russia
‘Glorious Russia’ playing cards made in France by Grimaud, c.1995
European Naval Powers
“XVI Century European Naval Powers” deck illustrated by Isabel Ibáñez de Sendadiano and produced by Heraclio Fournier in 1981.
Ancient Civilisations
Ancient Civilisations playing cards designed by Celedonio Perellón, produced by Heraclio Fournier, 1973.
Kaiser Jubiläum
Kaiser Jubiläum Imperial playing cards made in Austria by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna.
Baraja Gaucha Juan C. Yelina
Baraja Gaucha by Juan C. Yelina for Profertil S.A., 2006.