Ken McCarthy
An unknown deck by Ken McCarthy, c.2018.
An unknown deck by Ken McCarthy, c.2018. See the Info Card►

Above: an unknown deck by Ken McCarthy, c.2018. Cello wrapped.

By Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012
I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
Related Articles

Quaterne
A Victorian quartet-style children’s card game by Goodall & Son.

Gigerl-Tarock by Joseph Glanz
Urban Dandy caricature deck from 19th century Vienna designed by Julius Berndl.

The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge
A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.

Waddington’s faux books
Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.

Patience by Joseph Glanz
A refined and distinctly European Patience pack by Joseph Glanz from Austria.

Double Dummy Bridge
In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.

Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.

Boddingtons Bitter playing cards
Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.

OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner
Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.

Modern Swiss-German Pattern (carta.media)
Modernizing tradition: balancing clarity and continuity in regional card design.

Kids Fun Box playing cards
Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.

Tangle Foot Ale
Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.

Tactics Design
Late modernist Japanese playing cards designed by Masayoshi Nakajo for Tactics Design.

Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

Agent Provocateur
Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days