Simon Wintle
- Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
Fate Circular Deck
Circular Spanish-suited playing cards for FATE, 2007
Mickey Mouse y Amigos
“Mickey Mouse y Amigos” Spanish-suited pack mimicking Fournier’s Castilian pattern, 2001
Liebig Beef Extract
The first cards, or “chromos”, were published in 1872 and during the next 100 years almost 2,000 series were issued as a form of advertisement, but also educational as they cover almost every field of knowledge.
Benoist Laius
Spanish playing cards such as these were used in those parts of France where certain games were enjoyed, such as Aluette.
Insight Institute Tarot
During the late 1940s and 1950s The Insight Institute, of New Malden in Surrey, ran correspondence courses on the Tarot, which consisted of lessons with homework which was checked by tutors as well as a set of 'Authenticated' Tarot cards.
Islenzk Spil
This historical Icelandic deck was first published in c.1930 and shows the native Icelandic Vikings of some thousand years ago rendered in a romantic naturalistic style.
Thomas Wheeler
Thomas Wheeler appears in directories at 2 Richbell St (1799), 8 Middle Row, Holborn (1801), 118 Holborn Hill (1802-07) and 127 Holborn Hill (1807-21).
Leopardo 777 made in Japan for Peru
Leopardo 777 playing cards manufactured in Japan for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1960s.
Jass Allemand
Egbert Moehsnang produced this contemporary Swiss-suited, double-ended pack, based on original XV century sources, but they were shunned by card players.
Casino
“Casino” pack made by J. Müller & Cie & Cie, Schaffhouse. The pack was probably designed by Josef Maria Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.
Rococco
Designed by Josef Maria Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.
Whot
Whot was invented by William Henry Storey in 1935. It comes from the days when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside.
Egbert Moehsnang
The suit signs and indices are clear and easily recognisable, and each suit has a different predominant colour. The juxtaposition of traditional craft techniques with abstract modern design could be seen as postmodern.
Ormond Printing Co. Ltd
During the 1930s The Ormond Printing Co. Ltd produced playing cards for the Irish market with a distinctive ace of spades, joker and court cards. In 1935 the firm was acquired as a manufacturing facility for Waddington’s cards in Eire.
Zodiac Bridge
Zodiac Bridge was designed by René Marcel Rivière and printed by AGM Müller in c.1989. A different sign of the zodiac appears on the clothing of each court card figure.
Panama Souvenir 1908
1st edition of Panama Souvenir playing cards published by U.S. Playing Card Co., 1908
Alison McDonald
Artwork for The Watersprite Tarot© designed and painted by Alison McDonald.
Panama Souvenir Playing Cards
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926. The design of the cards varied between editions, and different 'fact' and map cards were also included.
Bosco by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru
‘Bosco’ Playing Cards manufactured by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1930s.
Masonic Playing Cards
A set of playing cards designed by Julien Lebleu, an original work in the history of Freemasonry. Jeu de cartes conçu par Julien Lebleu, oeuvre originale dans l'histoire de la Franc-maçonnerie.
Transformation of Playing Cards
The best-known fantasies with playing cards are the ‘Transformation’ cards. Hand-drawing ‘transformations’ onto a pack of ordinary playing cards, with the suit symbols forming part of the overall composition, became a popular pastime 200 years ago and a test of skill in drawing. A great deal of inge...
Cartes Turques
"Cartes Turques" was published in 1985. Intricate designs with a hint of orientalism, double borders and distinctive pips.
Fabrica de Cigarrillos Roldan y Cia, Lima, Peru
The design of the figures is very agile with excellent colour harmony and execution.
A World Without Playing Cards
Card games are one of the oldest forms of entertainment.
Girls’ Generation
“Girls’ Generation” (Korean: 소녀시대; Sonyeo Shidae) is a nine-member South Korean pop girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2007.
Adventures in Korea
Each card has a colour drawing of a Korean building, museum or tourist attraction with a brief description and details of how to get there.
David James Binns
Hand-made “Tudor Playing Cards” by David James Binns, age 12.
South Africa
Protea Playing Card Company, Johannesburg
Éditions Philibert
Éditions Philibert published an outstanding series of exotic, artistic playing cards in Paris from 1954 to 1960
Animal Snap
The full set of this 'Snap' card game is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a total of 36 cards.
Little Folk Misfitz
C. W. Faulkner & Co. Ltd were prolific card game manufacturers over a period of around 50 years, c.1870-1920.
Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne
Ferdinand Piatnik was born in Ofen on October 14, 1819.
Lyon Pattern type iii
This pattern was used in various parts of eastern France but was ultimately replaced by the official ‘Paris’ pattern in c.1780.
Feardiadh at the Ford jig-saw
Feardiadh at the Ford jig-saw book with illustration by Kathleen Ennis, c.1940.
Pirate Playing Cards
A recurring motif is the symbolism of life and death, playfully rendered in these marvellous cards, including plenty of sabres and skeletons!
Patience No.21
‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of cards.
Karl Gerich No.12
Karl Gerich's 12th deck is titled “Rheinland Playing Cards” and was published in 1991. lt is derived from Dondorf's Rhineland pattern, which was first published in the 1870s.
Karl Gerich No.3
Four Elements is Karl's third attempt at manufacturing playing cards.
Korean Hwatu
Hwatu (화투) cards originally came about because gambling with four-suited decks was outlawed. This ban prompted the creation of new decks and a new game.
Playing Cards & Gaming
Soon after their first appearance in Europe we hear of playing cards being banned by the authorities...
Uusi Blue Blood
Uusi Blue Blood designer playing cards by Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits, 2012.
Gibson, Hunt & Son
Gibson originally took over the business of Blanchard in 1769. Gibson & Hunt operated briefly (1801-1803) and were followed successively by Hunt & Son (1804-1821), Hunt & Sons (1821-1840), Hall (& Son), Hall & Bancks and finally Bancks Brothers (1841-89).
Karl Gerich
Karl Gerich's interest in playing-card production came to the fore while studying at Bath Academy of Art from 1975. Karl produced a unique range of hand-made playing cards during the period 1980-1998.
PolitiCards 2012
This 2012 deck of Politicards represents the sixth election year that Peter Green has created these collectible playing cards.
Latvia Art
Playing cards designed by artist Larisa Kovalass-Kovalevska on the theme of the Latvian folk epic “Lāčplēsis”.
Maxpedition
Hard-Use Gear is used by military, police and outdoor professionals around the world whose lives are dependent on reliable and durable tools... ideal for when you're out and about, on top of a mountain, in your tent, away from the computer, back to basics, enjoying time with your friends having a ga...
Lithuanian Playing Cards
During the 20th century Lithuanian printers produced striking playing cards containing Lithuanian symbols and national heroes.
Gunners Greats Playing Cards
Each of the four editions of the magazine included a complete suit from the 52 card deck with every card depicting a legend from Arsenal's history.
Arpak
The Arpak No-Revoke playing cards, 24 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, c.1927-35.
The 52 Club
The London College of Printing '52 Club' Designers and Artists playing cards, 1984.
Alfred Marks
Alfred Marks Recruitment Consultants publicity playing cards published by Astra Games