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.
Reynolds c.1830
Woodblock and stencil playing cards, produced by Reynolds & Sons c.1830-1850.
Reynolds non-standard
Sometime around c.1850 Reynolds & Sons produced this non-standard or variant pack with courts inspired by Continental designs, based loosely on the French 'Paris' pattern.
Reynolds c.1809-1885
Joseph Reynolds had been producing playing cards in the traditional method since c.1809.
Bancks Brothers
The 'Old Frizzle' Ace of Spades shows the duty paid as one shilling, and the manufacturer's name is engraved at the bottom of the ace.
History of Blackjack
Over the years the origin of Blackjack, like many other games, has eluded researchers for a long time and which continues to be hotly debated to this day.
Naipes Feroleto
Naipes Feroleto is a brand which began appearing in the Argentine market around 2002.
Moorish playing cards
These two uncoloured, uncut sheets of early Moorish playing cards were formerly preserved in the Instituto Municipal de Historia in Barcelona.
Gothic Spanish-suited cards
These cards may be a typical example of early 'standard' Spanish playing cards, maybe from before Columbus sailed for the 'New World' which were imitated by German engravers who wished to export their wares back to Spain.
Fournier Hnos Burgos
In 1860 the Fournier Brothers of Burgos (Spain) commenced producing playing cards. They produced high quality playing cards bearing a portrait of King Charles IV on the ace of coins.
Genoese pattern
The design is purely 'Parisian' but the colouring is green, red, yellow and black. Belgium has taken this pattern for general use.
Taller 4
Spanish-suited playing cards by TALLER 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.2000.
Boisse English pattern
Boisse English pattern, c.1870 based on designs by De La Rue.
Ramses II tarot
Ramses II Tarot deck was published c.1975 in conjunction with a Peruvian occult or esoteric magazine.
Paris Pattern
The Paris pattern was established as such around the middle of the seventeenth century (based, perhaps, on the cards of Hector of Troyes).
Piedmont Pattern
The Piedmont pattern is a very close relative to the French 'Paris' pattern. The courts are not named, however, and are divided horizontally (rather than diagonally).
Trevisane pattern
The double-ended version of the ‘Trevisane’ pattern originated in the early 19th century.
French Playing Cards
Some of the oldest cards still in existence come from France. During the 16th and 17th centuries France was the major supplier of playing cards in Europe.
Early Anglo-French Cards
Cards produced in Rouen during the sixteenth century. It was cards like these which were imported to England and are the ancestors of the modern 'Anglo-American' pattern.
Naipes Dural, Venezuela
Naipes "Dural" Clase Opaca made in Venezuela
Bibliography & References
The following works on Playing Card history and design have been consulted in preparing this website.
Naipes Side Car - Genoese type
Naipes Side Car - Genoese type.
Naipes Mónaco, Cía General Fabril Financiera S.A.
Naipes Mónaco playing-cards, Cía General Fabril Financiera S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.1960.
Cigarette Cards and other ephemera
Cigarette Cards, Trade Cards, Miniature Playing Cards and other ephemera.
Mardon, Son & Hall of Bristol, branch of the Imperial Tobacco Company
A division of Imperial Tobacco, they appear to have made cards almost exclusively for the cigarette token market, which flourished during the 1930s.
Naipes Las Rosas by Vigor S.R.L., c.1959
Naipes Las Rosas by Vigor S.R.L., c.1959.
History of Online Casinos
Online casinos appeared shortly after the internet became a more mainstream tool for the public to use.
Minifusor Clásico
Minifusor Clásico, a modern re-drawing of the Catalan pattern published by Difusora, c.1980.
Naipes Minifusor
Difusora S.A is a distributor of smokers' materials. Around 1970-80 they also distributed "Minifusor" playing cards.
L. P. Holmblad - Denmark
Cards from c.1850 by L. P. Holmblad showing fantasy historical Danish Kings and Queens.
Francisco Flores
Playing cards in this style have been discovered in various parts of the world, suggesting that they were exported or carried there by early explorers or merchants.
Estonian Historic Playing Cards
The court cards and indices on Estonian playing cards are Södur, Emand, Kuninga.
Naipes Joketa
“Naipes Joketa” by anonymous manufacturer, c.1975. A slightly elaborated version of conosur pattern.
El Negrito Pedro, c.1950s
El Negrito Pedro, children’s card game, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.1950s.
History of Poker
The origin of Poker - arguably the most influential card game of all time - is actually quite unclear.
F. Molina Campos
Unofficial Edition of Molina Campos playing cards, anonymous publisher, 2004.
Spanish Cadiz-style pack
Traditional Spanish Cadiz-style pack manufactured by Müller & Cie, Schaffhausen, 1952.
Heraclio Fournier S.A.
Founded in 1868, today it is part of Cartamundi.
River Plate Para Siempre
“River Plate Para Siempre” football club cartoon playing cards, c.2004.
Pinocho
Pinocho children’s playing cards published by Editorial Gráfica Flores c.1975.
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park card game made in Argentina, 2004.
Colombia
Colombian playing cards.
Patoruzito
Patoruzito children’s playing cards, Argentina, 2004.
Uruguayan Playing Cards
Until the 19th century playing cards were imported into Uruguay from Spain.
Tango
‘Tango’ playing cards from Argentina, c.2004.
Naipes ‘Ancla’
Naipes opacos ‘Ancla’ manufactured by Cía General de Fósforos Montevideana S.A. c.1980.
Naipes Victoria - page 2
Naipes Victoria was Cía Fabril Financiera's leading brand of Spanish-suited playing cards.
Taroquis ‘Obelisco’
78-card 'Taroquis Marca Obelisco' published by Mario Colombo, Buenos Aires, during the 1950s, 60s & 70s, in the style known as "Tarocco Piemontese" which had been developed by Italian cardmakers during the nineteenth century.
Humanist pack by J. Müller & Cie
'Humanist' pack made by J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), originally named 'Troubador'. The pack was designed by Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.
Swiss Playing Cards
The Swiss national suit system of shields, acorns, hawk bells and flowers emerged sometime during the XV century.
Joker S.A.
Playing cards manufactured by Joker S.A.
Punto y Banca
Punto y Banca, c.1974.