Wallace & Gromit
Wallace & Gromit playing cards published by Marks & Spencer, 2009.
In 2009, to celebrate 20 years since the release of the first Wallace & Gromit adventure by Aardman animations, Marks and Spencer released a deck of jumbo-sized playing cards made in China for them by an anonymous manufacturer, featuring characters from the shows. Each denomination of card has a different picture - every Ace has the same picture, every 2 the same picture etc, thus there are a total of 13 different pictures plus two more for the Jokers depicting the nefarious penguin from ‘The Wrong Trousers’ in two different poses.
Wallace is an eccentric inventor, perhaps the squared paper background is a nod towards his ‘inventor’ persona?
Above: ‘Wallace & Gromit’ playing cards published by Marks & Spencer, 2009.
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
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.
Shin-Tōmei Expressway Opening Commemoration
Promotional playing cards for the Shin-Tōmei Expressway, a major Japanese expressway that opened in ...
Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.
Danao Tiāngōng Puke
Children’s playing cards based on the 1961 Chinese animated feature film 大闹天宫 (Havoc in Heaven).
Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...
The Decadent Deck
Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.
Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.
Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...
Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893
A glimpse into a busy print and design office in late Victorian London.
Batman® playing cards
Batman playing cards published by InterCol of London 1989.
Can You Believe Your Eyes?
“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.
Pastime Playing Cards for the Blind
The “Pastime” Playing Cards for the Blind manufactured by Goodall & Son Limd., c.1910.
Songs with Flute accompaniment
Eighteenth century English engraved cards with music for voice and flute.
Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!
Ben 10 playing cards
Characters from the American animated television science fantasy series Ben 10.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
