The World of Playing Cards Logo

Liberated: America's Most Unwanted

Published October 30, 2022 Updated October 30, 2022

“Liberated: America's Most Unwanted” playing cards published in support of the Iraqi War, c.2003.

2003 USA Stonewall Enterprises Most Wanted Political Wartime

This pack was published by Stonewall Enterprises L.L.C., in 2003 in support of the Iraqi War. It contains 56 cards, including 2 jokers and 2 extra cards: the first praising the US military who liberated Iraq, and fought for liberty and world peace; the second condemning those “weasels” who opposed the War and whose photos appear on the cards. Spades portray photos of US politicians; diamonds are actors/film stars; clubs are foreign politicians; and diamonds are journalists and media personalities. The 2 jokers are the liberal newspapers: the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

“Liberated: America's Most Unwanted” playing cards published by Stonewall Enterprises L.L.C. in support of the Iraqi War, c.2003 “Liberated: America's Most Unwanted” playing cards published by Stonewall Enterprises L.L.C. in support of the Iraqi War, c.2003

Above: “Liberated: America's Most Unwanted” playing cards published by Stonewall Enterprises L.L.C. in support of the Iraqi War, c.2003.

avatar
530 Articles

By Peter Burnett

Member since July 27, 2022

I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.

Russian Playing Cards

Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.

Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.

Related Articles

1972 The UCR Deck

The UCR Deck

Giant-size cards designed by Thomas Sanders to advertise courses and facilities at UCR.

2015 Fredericks & Mae playing cards

Fredericks & Mae playing cards

A rainbow pack from the design team of Fredericks & Mae and Benjamin English.

2004 Red Hat Society playing cards

Red Hat Society playing cards

Society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life.

1798 Pam is the Knave of Clubs

Pam is the Knave of Clubs

Playing cards as metaphors in 18th century art - from fate, chance and social hierarchy t...

1711 Dr Sacheverell

Dr Sacheverell

Dr. Henry Sacheverell's impeachment in 1710 sparked widespread public unrest and political upheaval,...

1872 Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.

1983 Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Caricatures of world leaders, including many German politicians, by the artist Bubec.

1983 Le Poker Politique

Le Poker Politique

French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

1975 Mountain Dream Tarot

Mountain Dream Tarot

Groundbreaking Tarot created by Bea Nettles, using photographs and photo montage.

2022 Clear Skies

Clear Skies

‘Clear Skies’ playing cards paying tribute to the Ukrainian people in the face of war.

2021 Junior Playing Cards

Junior Playing Cards

Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.

2021 Last Call Cats playing cards

Last Call Cats playing cards

Bar-crawling cats, designed by artists Arna Miller and Ravi Zupa.

2006 Covered bridges playing cards

Covered bridges playing cards

Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.

1981 Motherpeace Round Tarot

Motherpeace Round Tarot

An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.

1986 Victorian playing cards

Victorian playing cards

54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...

1980 Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,