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.
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 and were followed by various successors.
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
Political Figures
54 Welsh Politicians on a deck of playing cards...
Irish Playing Card Mfg Co
Irish Playing Card Manufacturing Company.
Crown Point Series
The Universal Playing Card Co., Crown Point Series,
Pictorial
Pictorial Playing Cards - De Luxe - Fabric Finish - manufactured by Alf Cooke Limited (Universal Playing Card Co.)
New Bond
The New Bond Fabric Finish Playing Cards, made by the Universal Playing Card Co. Ltd.
Irish Souvenir
Irish souvenir playing cards. The Joker has the inscription W.O., Dublin.
Three Kingdoms
One of an extensive range of Chinese historical, art and culture playing cards, Three Kingdoms playing cards describes the historical story of the Three Kingdoms period, the political and military struggles between the contending rulers.
Mongolian Playing Cards
Mongolian Playing Cards.
Celtic Journey
Celtic Journey playing cards - where art and culture meet - designed by Carmen G. Carballeira, 2011
Mini-Poker
Mini-Poker miniature playing cards made in China.
Hong Kong Souvenir
Hong Kong Souvenir playing cards.
Hong Kong
A large proportion of the world's souvenir and pin-up playing cards originate from Hong Kong.
Baraja Edad Media
Baraja Edad Media, fantasy Spanish-suited medieval playing cards published Mas-Reynals, Barcelona, 1993. Designed by M. Malé and illustrated by V. Maza.
Mas Reynals - Varitemas S.L.
Mas-Reynals was founded in 1989 by Miguel Mas Reynals. Since 2003 the firm trades as Varitemas S.L.
Gath & Chaves
Gath & Chaves, Ltd, Buenos Aires, 1883-1974.
Carreras Fortune Telling Cards
Carreras Fortune Telling Cards.
Whist No. 32
Whist No. 32 - Cartas de Jogar Nunes
America Online Beach
America Online Beach playing cards, Spanish suit system, non-standard designs, 2006
Igor Domicelj, Buenos Aires, c.1945-55
Igor Domicelj commenced producing playing cards in c.1945. By the early 1950s the range had grown to include Naipes La Estrella, Barcelonesa, Chinita, La Española, Fantasio, Cartas Gitanas, Naipes Tipo Húngaro and a Jewish Quartet game.
Hungarian Seasons playing cards by G. Berger, Buenos Aires
Hungarian 'Seasons' playing cards made by G. Berger, Alsina 373, Buenos Aires c.1940
G. Berger, Buenos Aires, c.1935-50
Berger also produced a Hungarian-type "Seasons" pack with the brand name "La Estrella" and a six-pointed star logo, which was subsequently used by Domicelj and Vigor, suggesting some sort of business succession.
Naipes Tipo Húngaro
32 cards Hungarian "Seasons" pattern, with Argentinean tax stamp and trade mark of six-pointed star on 7 of bells, c.1955-60.
Naipes Barcelonesa by Vigor S.R.L., Bs As, 1960
Naipes Barcelonesa Spanish-suited playing cards manufactured by Vigor S.R.L., Buenos Aires, 1960.
Van Genechten
A. Van Genechten ran a flourishing business, supplying various kinds of cards both inside the country and abroad including England, Spain, France, Denmark, South-East Asia, China and Japan.
Old Maid
Old Maid by Clifford Toys
Old Maid No.5862
Tower Press Old Maid No.5862.
Clifford ‘Donkey’ card game
Clifford ‘Donkey’ card game, c.1948.
Woodland Old Maid
Woodland Old Maid, a Pepys Card Game illustrated by Racey Helps, first published c.1957.
Snip Snap
Decimal Snap created by Eric Wagstaff, published by Michael Stanfield Holdings, London 1968.
Tunisia
Playing Cards in Tunisia. Chkobba is one of the most popular card games in Tunisia, mainly played by men in coffee shops but also played at home by men and women alike.
Change for a Shilling
Change for a Shilling card game by Geo. Wright & Co., London, c.1910-1926.
Wild Flower Sevens
Wild Flower Sevens card game by Pepys Games (Castell Bros Ltd), c.1960.
Belisha
Belisha, published by Castell Brothers Ltd (Pepys Games) in 1937, was produced with a desire to make a helpful contribution to the national Safety First campaign.
Shakespeare 300th Anniversary
Shakespeare 300th Anniversary playing cards designed by John Leighton (1822-1912).
Victoria Diamond Jubilee
Playing cards commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, manufactured by Chas Goodall & Son, 1897.
Boudoir
“Boudoir” playing cards were introduced by Chas Goodall & Son in 1906 in a new, slimmer size.
Recado de Bastos - Gaucho Scrapbook
Recado de Bastos (‘Gaucho Scrapbook’) Gaucho-themed deck from Argentina, 2006
Wenceslao Guarro Catalan Pattern
Wenceslao Guarro ‘Escudo de Barcelona’ Catalan Pattern by Fabricantes de Naipes de España, c.1925.