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.
Back to the USSR
Back to the USSR deck featuring communist party leaders and politicians, c.1995
Glorious Russia
‘Glorious Russia’ playing cards made in France by Grimaud, c.1995
European Naval Powers
“XVI Century European Naval Powers” deck illustrated by Isabel Ibáñez de Sendadiano and produced by Heraclio Fournier in 1981.
Ancient Civilisations
Ancient Civilisations playing cards designed by Celedonio Perellón, produced by Heraclio Fournier, 1973.
Kaiser Jubiläum
Kaiser Jubiläum Imperial playing cards made in Austria by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna.
Baraja Gaucha Juan C. Yelina
Baraja Gaucha by Juan C. Yelina for Profertil S.A., 2006.
Selección Nacional de Fútbol
‘Selección Nacional de Fútbol’ playing cards published in Mexico by Novelty Corp de México S.A. de C.V., 2002.
Cartes de Luxe (1877) facsimile
‘Cartes de Luxe’ first published by Biermans in 1877 was reproduced in facsimile by Amstel Beer in c.1980.
Egypt Souvenir
Souvenir from Egypt - the home of lovely memories - 54 colour photos, c.1980.
Les Artisans Tunisiens
“Les Artisans Tunisiens” Jeu de Sept Familles published by Éditions de la Mediterranée, Alpha S.A., Tunis
Genever Giraf
Dutch pattern advertising deck for Genever Giraf made by Van Genechten in the 1950s.
Piket Fijne Speelkaarten, c.1925-30
‘Piket Fijne Speelkaarten’ by La Turnhoutoise, c.1925-30.
BG Bouw Building Company
BG Bouw Dutch Building Company publicity deck manufactured by Carta Mundi, c.1980.
Max Velthuijs for KLM
Playing cards designed by Max Velthuijs for KLM airlines first published c.1964
Skat Politisch
Political “Skat Politisch” published by ASS, 1976.
Shakespearean
Shakespearean Playing Cards designed by Frederick Colin Tilney, made by John Waddington Limited, 1932-3.
Domino Cards, c.1890
Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890
Nine Lives Playing Cards
Nine Lives Playing Cards designed by Annette Abolins, 2016
Nine Lives Tarot
Nine Lives Tarot by Annette Abolins represents the artist’s creative and spiritual perspective on life.
Naipe Cantaclaro
A colourful version of the Spanish Catalan pattern from Colombia, with a crowing cockerel on the 4 of cups.
Naipes ‘La Criolla’ by Anabella Corsi
Inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Protea Bridge 999
Bridge size deck with non-standard suit colours, blue diamonds & green clubs, manufactured by Protea Playing Card Company, Johannesburg.
Éditions Dusserre, Paris
Éditions Dusserre, Paris.
Naipes ‘Charabon’
Naipes ‘Charabon’ - depicting the Gaucho as a national hero, Montevideo, 1983.
Naipes Artiguistas, 1816
Naipes Artiguistas published in Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios province (Argentina) in 1816, by Fray Solano García.
Playing Cards designed by Alvaros
Playing Cards designed by Alvaros, published by Eduardo Carrión, Montevideo, 2000
Club Nacional de Football, Uruguay
100th anniversary of the Club Nacional de Football, Uruguay, 1999.
Turkey
Once the centre of the Ottoman Empire.
Help Yourself Society
The “Help Yourself” Society was formed in 1927 to run fundraising activities for hospitals.
Servicio de Hidrografía Naval
125th anniversary of the Argentine Naval Hydrographic Service, 2004.
Milonguita
Naipes de Poker “Milonguita” featuring early Tango music score covers, Gardés Editorial, 2003.
Gaucho Naipes
‘Gaucho’ Spanish-suited deck, anonymous manufacturer, made in Argentina, 2001.
Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol
‘Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol’ with Gaucho designs by Julio F. Parada Seifert capturing the spirit of Argentine country life, 2005.
Piñón Fijo
“Piñón Fijo” is an Argentine clown, whose real name is Fabián Gómez. He is well-known on Argentine children's television.
El Rodeo Talabartería
Promotional playing cards produced for ‘El Rodeo Talabartería’ specialising in leather goods and clothing, Buenos Aires, c.2006.
Naipes “La Estrella” for BOLS by Igor Domicelj, Bs Aires, c.1954
Naipes “La Estrella” Spanish-suited playing cards made for BOLS gin by Igor Domicelj, Buenos Aires, c.1954
Lincard
“Lincard” card game invented by John William Wolf and patented in 1937.
Guru Ganjifa
Sunish Chabba is working on an initiative to revive traditional Ganjifa, the card game most popular 17th Century India.
Die Vogel-Welt No. 351
Dondorf’s “Die Vogel-Welt” No. 351 quartet game, c.1905
Dogs
‘Dogs’ playing cards showcases 52 canine portraits in four suits as authors, artists, musicians and film stars, illustrated by Chet Phillips, 2016
Naipes Tu Destino Cartomancy Cards
“Naipes Tu Destino” Cartomancy Cards from Peru will ease any stress in your interpersonal relationships c.1975.
Black Tango
‘Black Tango’ playing cards with photographs of dancing couples published by Gardés Editorial, 2003.
Arms of English Peers
The Arms of English Peers playing cards were first published in 1686. Heraldry, or a knowledge of the arms and blazons of royalty was an important part of a respectable education.
Barajitas Futbolísticas Golazo, 1973
Figuritas Golazo collectible football cards from Argentina, 1973.
Tarot de l’An 2000
“Tarot de l’An 2000” designed by Pino Zac, 1981, satirising 20th century life.
Vac-tric Electric Vacuum Cleaners
Vac-tric Electric Vacuum Cleaner playing cards manufactured by De la Rue, 1930s.
Four Point
“Four Point” playing cards, a labour of love designed and illustrated by Ben Vierck, 2014
Stuttgart pack, c.1430
The luxury, hand-painted Stuttgart Cards (Stuttgarter Kartenspiel) dated c.1430, with suits of ducks, falcons, stags and hounds.
Goodall’s “Historic” Playing Cards
Goodall’s “Historic” Playing Cards depict royal costumes of four periods in English history, 1893.
Bobs y’r Uncle
“Bobs y'r Uncle” nursery rhyme card game designed by Frank H. Simpson for John Waddington Ltd. in 1935.
Ottakar’s Happy Families
Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000.