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.
De la Rue’s 125th anniversary
In around 1955 De la Rue introduced a new coloured joker and a series of aces of spades with a silhouette of Thomas de La Rue which coincided with their 125th anniversary
Head-to-Head Poker
“Head-to-Head” Poker by Parker Brothers (Hasbro), 2005
Tarocco Siciliano
The highly individual Sicilian Tarot has the Italo-Portuguese suit system with straight, interlocking swords and batons, and maids instead of jacks
Apache cards by Tonto Naipero
Apache rawhide playing cards by ‘Tonto Naipero’, c.1871.
Ojibwa Native Indian Cards
Ojibwa Native Indian playing cards hand manufactured on birch bark in imitation of standard French / English cards, c.1875.
Miniature Disney deck
Mickey Mouse card game is part of a promotion for Rübezahl Schokoladen GmbH (Germany).
Naipes Gauchescos Argentinos
“Naipes Gauchescos Argentinos” with re-styled Spanish suit-symbols reflecting Argentinean culture, 2004.
Carta Mundi
Carta Mundi was founded in Turnhout on 27 June 1970 by pooling the production and sales facilities of the three surviving companies: Brepols, Van Genechten and Leonard Biermans.
Foto Joker
'Foto Joker' Spanish playing cards for Matera Color Laboratory, 2008.
Trans-siberian Express
‘Trans-Siberian Express’ playing cards designed by Veronika Nicolaeva, Az-Art Publishing House, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2015.
Canasta
Canasta is a card game of the Rummy family which originated in Uruguay probably about 1947.
Rivers Edge Products
Rivers Edge Products for the outdoor enthusiast include magnificent artwork on playing cards.
Woolley & Co: “Eurekas”
Woolley & Co: “Eureka” playing cards with rounded corners, small index pips and decorative back design, c.1880-1885.
Flemish Hunting Deck
Set of medieval playing cards with King, Queen, Knave and numeral cards from one to ten in each of four suits which refer to the activity of hunting, as practiced by the nobility.
Transformation c.1880
Hand-drawn transformation cards, c.1880
Pedro Rotxotxo
Standard Spanish National pattern by Pedro Rotxotxo, Barcelona, late 18th century.
The Allure of Baccarat
Today most people know baccarat as the casino game for James Bond
The Invention of Bridge
“The Invention of Bridge” - a humorous story by Larry Lefkowitz.
Poker Faces
Poker Faces playing cards were illustrated by Alex Elsen and published by Verlag Um Die Ecke, Germany, 2015
Topo Gigio
Topo Gigio card game by Joker S.A., Argentina, c.1985.
A. D. Willis
A. D. Willis, playing card manufacturer, Wanganui, New Zealand
Tops and Tails
‘Sports Tops and Tails’ No.290 manufactured by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna, c.1950s.
Express 2nd Edition
Pepys “Express” card game 2nd edition c.1955.
Ataque
“Ataque”, a card game simulating football manufactured in Buenos Aires by Vigor S.R.L., 1958.
McDonald’s Playing Cards
McDonald’s playing cards by the United States Playing Card Co., Cincinnati, c.1997
Vasa Dynasty
The House of Vasa was the royal house of Sweden 1523–1654 and subsequent rulers have emphasized their Vasa descent through a female line
Flinders playing cards
Flinders playing cards manufactured by Hudson Industries Pty Ltd (Australia).
Baraja Hispanoamericana
“Baraja Hispanoamericana” published by Asescoin, with artwork by Ortuño, illustrates memorable people from the discovery, colonisation and subsequent liberation of Hispanic America
Turkey
Artex A/30 brand for Turkey, 1980s.
Ordnance Recognition
Ordnance Recognition Playing Cards cards designed to help people at risk from unexploded bombs
Baraja Charra Ernesto Icaza
“Baraja Charra” with paintings by Ernesto Icaza, 2002.
Cult Movie Cards
Paul Willoughby has cleverly captured the quintessence from 54 classic cult movies into a pack of playing cards. How many can you identify?
The Lumberjacks
2nd edition of Lumberjacks designed by Vadim Smolenskiy and manufactured by U.S.P.C.C.
Królewskie
‘Królewskie’ playing cards with Slavic style courts, printed by KZWP-Trefl, 2002.
Starościanka
“Starościanka” playing cards manufactured by KZWP-Trefl (Poland).
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley playing cards published by The United States Playing Card Company, c.2002.
Rhineland Pattern by KZWP
Rhineland pattern by KZWP.
ARRCO
ARRCO Playing Card Co., Chicago, c.1935 - 1987, when acquired by USPCC.
Comic Families
“Comic Families” card game from Australia, c.1940s
Wüst “Encyclopedic Tarot”
“Encyclopedic Tarot” by C. L. Wüst with “bourgeois” views of life on the Trumps.
Jest Jokers
Peter Wood’s “Jest Jokers” comprising 54 different Joker designs made into a full pack of cards.
Cine Manual + Periquito
“Cine Manual” by Antonio Vercher Coll (1900-1934) and published by Reclamos Cimadevilla, Valencia, c.1927.
Naipes “El Castillo”
Hand-drawn designs by Inmaculada Gabaldón with suits based on traditional Spanish ones, published by Naipes de la Cigüeña, 1991.
Star Wars Episode 1
“STAR WARS Episode 1” playing cards printed by U.S. Playing Card Co., c.1999
Baraja Literaria
“Baraja Literaria” Spanish pack with cartoons by Serafín, published by Asescoin and manufactured by Naipes Comas, 2002.
Creciendo Seguros
‘Creciendo Seguros’ road safety awareness playing cards from Argentina, 2006.
Veto
‘Veto’ is a Polish CCG game. Players compete for power and influence. The game is set in 17th century.
Disney Collectible Cards
Disney collectable cards showing scenes from Disney animated movies, printed in Poland by KZWP-Trefl, 2003.
Rufford Playing Cards
Rufford playing cards is one of several brand names used by Boots for their stationery department, and probably the most popular.
Gumppenberg of Milan
Fine playing cards made by Gumppenberg of Milan evoking the style of antiquity, c.1830
Quickie Wheelchairs
Uncut sheet of ‘Quickie’ Wheelchairs Quartet card game, made in Poland 2004