Playing cards originated in ancient China, and were introduced into Europe sometime in the 14th century. There are a wide variety of collectible cards today, from highly ornamented early European cards to tarot cards to 20th century decks issued by railroads, casinos, and cruise lines, or reflecting contemporary themes like war, politics and sports.
The earliest playing cards were hand-painted, often gilded, and designed to be beautiful objects. Meant for gambling or playing games of skill, they were also often used as symbolism or mnemonics for representing knowledge ranging from botany to heraldry, cosmology to geography.
The earliest surviving playing cards date from the fifteenth century, with imagery of animals, plants, birds and flowers. By about 1500 three main suit systems had evolved: Latin...
Playing card design as we know it today (double-ended court cards with crowns, etc.) became standardized in the 1800s by designers like Hunt, Reynolds, De La Rue, and Goodall.
Interviews & Articles
Collecting Antique and Vintage Playing Cards

People are often surprised when we tell them we collect playing cards. They all know how to play games with cards and have all hel… [more]
Collecting Modern Facsimiles of Historical Playing Cards

Collecting facsimile playing cards can be an interesting window onto the world of historic and antique playing card decks. In a re… [more]
The Evolution, History, and Imagery of Playing Cards

For over six centuries - apart from its functionality as a number game - the playing card has been chosen as a medium for artistry… [more]
Selling Soap and Smokes With Victorian Trade Cards

How did I start collecting Victorian trade cards? In the late 60s I was a bottle collector, early American bottles and flasks. I s… [more]
19th-Century Tobacco Cards

Dave Campbell contacted me after reading a post on The Baseball Card blog. He's been collecting baseball cards non-stop since 1981… [more]
The Force of Collecting Star Wars Cards

I was 10 when the movie came out and I went to the store and bought a couple of packs of Star Wars cards. But I ended up trashing … [more]
Hitting a Home Run with Baseball Cards

I started collecting in 1986. If you’re in Boston and you’re a baseball fan, the Red Sox may take over your life. They take over y… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
World of Playing Cards

A full house of great images and reference information on vintage playing cards. Browse cards by country and subjec… [read review or visit site]
DXPO Playing Cards

This Dutch site showcases a wonderful international collection of old playing cards, with themes as varied as the P… [read review or visit site]
Museum of Talking Boards

Prepare to enter the strange world of Ouija, the Wonderful Talking Board game, which captured imaginations en masse… [read review or visit site]
Non Sports Cards: Tobacco, Gum and Candy

Tom Boblitt moderates this extremely deep, collaborative site dedicated to non-sports cards (tobacco, gum and candy… [read review or visit site]
Elliot Avedon Games Museum

This in-depth University of Waterloo virtual exhibit showcases vintage games in a variety of categories, from class… [read review or visit site]
Handhelden.com

From Tomy to Coleco to Mattel and Nintendo, check out this collection of over 660 handheld and tabletop videogames … [read review or visit site]
Pong Story

David Winter's tribute to early video games, and to Ralph H. Baer, 'inventor of the video game.' Offers a detailed … [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Cards
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Recent News: Playing Cards
Source: Google News
Rise and shine in the Mississippi Pearl - Muscatine Journal
Muscatine Journal, May 17thThe uniquely named suites have private baths, Wi-Fi, microwave and mini fridge, and are surrounded by antique pieces dating back to the early 1900s. The wrap-around porch has a swing amongst other outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the evening breeze...Read more
Religion Almanac for May 18, 2013
Bradenton Herald, May 17thFormer members or their families are invited to share photos or memorabilia from St. George's between 1965 and the present. Contact the church office at 941-755-3606, 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday-Friday, to arrange for pick-up and return of .... worship...Read more
BRIEFLY: May 16
Wicked Local, May 16thVintage items, birdhouses, vegetable plants, herbs, annuals and perennials, one of a kind garden structures, hypertufa, wreaths and vertical garden elements will be offered for sale. New this year, Kokedama, which is derived ..... support to hospice...Read more
Bucket List Bars: 10 Must-Visit Bars In America (PHOTOS) - Huffington Post
Huffington Post, May 14thBuilt from an old whaling ship in 1883 this water-front saloon saw sailors and pirates drinking at the (now very slanted) bar and playing cards at the original tables you can still sit at today. It also became a home to one of America's most celebrated...Read more
School's ban on Pokemon cards
The Argus, May 13thIn a letter the school said: “We have taken the decision to ban all playing cards, including Moshi Monsters cards, from the school site. “Children have been bringing these collector cards into school and trying to swap cards during the day, which has...Read more
Looking For A Career Change? 6 Reinvention Tips From The Ultimate Multi ...
Co.Create, May 10thBeddor got the idea for The Looking Glass Wars when he spotted an antique card deck at the British Museum bearing more sinister versions of the Alice in Wonderland characters, and learned through an antiques dealer about a darker Wonderland that Lewis...Read more
Total War: Rome 2 Release Date Set For September, $155 Collector's Edition ...
Cinema Blend, May 9thTabula set - The Roman forerunner to Backgammon, this Tabula set comprises 30 bone-effect game pieces supplied in their own burlap drawstring bag; the board itself is built into the base of the Collector's Edition box. Tesserae Dice - Three replica...Read more
Total War: Rome 2 launching Sept. 3 worldwide in standard and collector's editions
Polygon, May 9thInvolving combat, territorial control, resource management and technological development, Punic Wars consists of 58 high-quality playing cards and a game-board printed with the Punic Wars tech-tree. Canvas Campaign Map: A reminder of the worlds you...Read more
If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Jockeying for Position: How Boxers and Briefs Got Into Men's Pants
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Blood, Sweat, and Steel: My Afternoon with the Ace of Swords
'The Great Gatsby' Still Gets Flappers Wrong
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Forget TV Pickers, Meet the Real Mavericks of the Antiques World
Coveting The Craziest Cat-People Collectibles


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