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.
Anon Spanish Cards c.1875
Spanish-suited playing cards made in Belgium by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1875.
Views of Ireland
Selected views of Ireland Souvenir playing cards published by the Irish Tourist Association, 1950s
Truco “Únicos”
Naipes Truco “Únicos” with caricatures of national celebrities designed by Gerardo N. Perez, 2006.
Gráfica S.A., Bs Aires
Gráfica S.A. of Buenos Aires has produced a number of brands using the Catalan pattern.
Habemus Boda, 2004
“Habemus Boda” deck celebrating the royal wedding of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain with cartoons by Sir Cámara.
Baraja PEPLVM
Baraja PEPLVM features cartoons by Ortuño of famous actors and actresses in roles from epic Roman movies.
Hesslers Enhanced
Matt Hessler’s “Enhanced” four-colour playing cards, 2015.
Martínez de León
Bull-fighters pack published by Hijos de Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria (Spain) with artwork by Andrés Martínez de León, 1951.
Vergnano Tarot 1826-1851
Stefano Vergnano’s Tarot and playing card factory holds a special place in the history of the Tarot.
Learn Thai
“Learn Thai” cards published by Lanna Innovation Co. Ltd, 2009.
Woolley & Co: “Second Harrys”
Woolley & Co produced a range of different quality playing cards, and these “Second Harrys” are towards the cheaper end of the range.
Stancraft “Split Deck”
Stancraft “Split Deck”, 1979.
Bio-Pack
Bio-Pack flashcards produced for Thai biology students
Math Stack
“Math Stack” playing cards designed by Diana Stanciulescu, illustrating and explaining 36 important mathematical constants, published by EduStack in India
Star Stack
Star Stack playing cards feature illustrations of famous astronomers and important astronomical constellations.
Delta Playing Cards
Delta playing cards are a modern art concept deck invented by Professor M. R. Ali, an artist operating under the company name of “Artology International”.
Magic Poker Cards
“Magic Poker Cards” are often found inside Christmas crackers along with party hats, puzzles and jokes...
EduStack — Playing Cards for Math & Astronomy
EduStack is a team from India passionate about gaming and education that has created two sets of custom playing cards about Maths and Astronomy
Naipes Españoles “El Mexicano”
Standard Catalan-type deck, titled "El Mexicano", by an anonymous Argentinean manufacturer, c.1980s.
La Suisse Historique Swiss Cantons souvenir
A masterpiece in the genre of tourist souvenir decks, “La Suisse Historique” Swiss Cantons souvenir designed by Melchior Annen in c.1920.
Nationaal Speelkaart Nº 165
Wüst: Nationaal Speelkaart Nº 165 issued for the Dutch market
Jeu D’Aluettes - Boéchat Frères c.1950
Jeu D’Aluettes manufactured by Boéchat Frères, Bordeaux, c.1950 with archaic Spanish features mixed with the standard Catalan pattern
Beautiful Britain Series
The ‘Beautiful Britain’ series depicting seaside and country resorts was produced by John Waddington Ltd for the Great Western Railway and London and North Eastern Railway between 1924-1939.
Heráldica Castanyer
Spanish Catalan pattern No.6 by Heráldica Castanyer, Sabadell (Barcelona), c.1980.
Amos del Universo
“Amos del Universo” card game published by Litografía Goicochea Hnos, S.A., Lima, Peru, c.1980.
Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection
The Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection 2015 includes plenty of favourites, and also includes the official rules for the games as well as tips and strategies, allowing you to easily try out and learn new games.
Poker Nº 505
Heraclio Fournier ‘Poker Nº 505’ for export to Argentina with elaborate peacock joker, c.1960.
Archaeological find: old playing cards under the floorboards
The municipal archaeological service in Dordrecht (Netherlands) recently found some antique playing cards under the floorboards inside an old public bar.
DWYN
Dwyn - a card game about Welsh history designed by Simon Grennan and Christopher Sperandio, 2006.
Atlantic Playing Card Co
Atlantic Playing Card Co., Inc. promoted Bridge Ensemble boxes and companion accessories.
Tarjetas de la Felicidad
“Tarjetas de la Felicidad” containing positive mental affirmations by Lauro Trevisan, Buenos Aires (Argentina) c.2001
Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles
Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles Héron - Catalan pattern.
Mas-Reynals Catalan Pattern
Mas-Reynals standard Catalan pattern comes in several slightly different versions.
Manuf’d for L.N. Mann
Standard English pattern manuf’d for L.N. Mann by Van Genechten, c.1890.
Ronia Genoese Pattern
‘Ronia’ Genoese Pattern made in Hungary for the Dutch market, c.1970
Pneumatic Series ‘F’
De la Rue Pneumatic Series ‘F’ playing cards, c.1925.
Rūfa
Rūfa is a game designed by Ernest Legh and manufactured by De la Rue. The object is to build a pagoda with specially-designed cards without causing the building to collapse.
Lexicon
The summer of 1932 saw the introduction of Lexicon, when a small edition was produced and sold to test the market.
Army Health Promotion
Health Promotion playing cards issued by the British Army with cartoons about army life and information on where to get health advice.
Le Bossu de Notre-Dame
“Le Bossu de Notre-Dame” families card game published by Ducale (France Cartes), c.1998.
Tarot of Musterberg
Designed by Cesare Asaro to simulate decks from the 1700s or earlier, the Tarot of Musterberg is based on the traditional Tarot de Marseille but with an imaginary historical background.
Arlequin
Naipes Arlequin come in both International and Spanish versions.
Brepols Genoese pattern
“Cartes Françaises” and Genoese pattern by Brepols.
West Flanders Souvenir
West Flanders Souvenir pack manufactured in Belgium by Mesmaekers, c.1950.
Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein
Brepols Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein distillery, c.1960.
Chi Chi Pai
Chinese “Chi Chi Pai” Playing Cards by Mesmaekers Frères for Far East market.
Finnish Stamps
Playing cards featuring a selection of Finland's postage stamps made by Nelostuote Oy (Tactic Games), Pori, Finland
Papyrus playing cards
Egyptian ‘Papyrus’ playing cards with beautiful illustrations against a papyrus background.
World Tour
World Tour Quiz Game published by Tactic Group for Finnair involves recognising flags from different countries and their locations on the map.
Naipes Argentinos Patagonia
“Naipes Argentinos Patagonia” with court cards depicting gauchos and native Indians, c.2000.
Waddingtons Aces of Spades, 1970 onwards
Waddingtons Aces of Spades, 1970 onwards