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
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.
by 
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
Other Great Reference Sites: Cards
Top eBay Auctions
1863 Confederate General Civil War Playing Cards Full Deck M Nelson Co Ny Real
Original Jerry
Antique German T.o. Weigel Playing Cards Circa 1885, Nr
1 Brick Of Gold Crown Deck Of Playing Cards (new, Sealed And Rare!) 
Early 1900's Antique Bicycle 808 New Fan Back Playing Cards Dozen Boxed Set
United Airlines Boxed Set Of Two Decks Playing Cards From The 1950s
Bezique Vintage Card Game In Box Pekinese Dog Picture English
Gold Arcane Deck And Uncut Sheet
Original & Rare Miracle Mile Casino Deck
Gold Arcane Uncut Sheet - Ellusionist - Playing Cards - Black Club Exclusive
Woolworths Swap Card - Brunette Lady - Red Border - Very Good Condition !!!
Derby Horses Bold Forbes & Secretariat Two Full Decks 52 Cards Each No Joker
Rare Complete Deck Antique 1850s De La Rue Playing Cards For Exportation Nr
1916 Rare Americana Diana Gorgeous Congress 606 Art Deco Antique Playing Cards
Cartier Double Deck Playiing Cards With Leather Holder
Prada - Playing Card Gift Set Box
2 Decks Of Gold Crown Deck (new, Sealed And Rare!) By The Blue Crown
Bicycle Pirate Playing Cards Limited Edition, Black + White Deck Complete Set
Vintage Playing Cards Twin Deck Lacquer Enamel Painted Box Gorgeous Birds Nr Yqz
Antique Playing Cards Allied Armies Wwi Military Alliances Japan Russia 52+ob 
Black + White Gold Seal New Fan Back
Vintage Mixed Lot 84 Playing Cards Decks Bicycle Todor Rose Lion 
Russian Historical Deck Of Playing Cards - Glorious Russia
Ellusionist Black Club Artifice Playing Cards Theory11
Ltd Playing Cards, Limited Rare Sealed First Edition Ellusionist Deck Nib
White Monarch Playing Cards, Rare Theory11 Deck Sealed Nib
Red+black Floral Deck By Aloys Studio Very Rare
'romanov' Playing Cards. Piatnik. Austria. The Great Dynasty Of Russia. 1997
Orginal Jerry's Nugget Playing Cards
Ellusionist Black Artifice Rare Deck Playing Cards Theory 11 Black Club
Great 6 Old Ganjifa Playing Cards, India, Ca. 17th Or 18th Century
Kem Pinochle Playing Cards In Original Bakelite Case And Another Deck
Russian Nevskie Playing Cards Limited Edition Sveshnikov
Lot Of 5 Deck Of Vintage Delta Airlines Playing Cards Bridge Size Sealed!
Vint Art Deco Terrier Scotty? Dog Set Of Boxed Card Deck Top Hat & Monacle (d299
2 Decks Fournier Playing Cards Sealed 1850s French Costumes
Early 1900's Antique Goodall & Sons London Bicycle Cycling Playing Cards
Highly Collectible! Vintage Vargas 52 Pinup Girls Playing Cards- Pink Tiki Back
4 Boxes(8 Decks Total) Of The Best Brown/green Kem Casino, Plastic Playing Cards
Playing Cards Swap Cards Cute Little Blank Back Sarah Kay Boy With A Melon
Dominion + Mmd#1 Playing Cards By De'vo Devo Handlordz(with Signature)
Early 1900's Antique Bicycle 808 Saddle Back Playing Cards Complete
Ace Fulton's Casino Playing Cards 5 Deck Set Brown Orange Blue Red Black
Vintage Playing Cards Wpc Co Art Deco Geometric Abstract Design Gilt Highlights 
1 New Deck Black Artifice Apex Edition Playing Cards Black Club Ellusionist 11 
Le Jeu Des Papes, Carte Dei Papi, Grimaud, 3 Deck Card Game, 1983
1986 Centennial Statue Of Liberty/ellis Island Kem Playing Cards - 2 Decks
Gold Crown Playing Cards, Rare Blue Crown Sealed Deck Nib
Vintage Macpherson Nude Pinup Art Double Deck Win, Lose Or Draw Playing Cards
New Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum Playing Cards With Pinup Girls - Factory Sealed
# 1 Swap Playing Cards Album Has 144 Cards Royals
2 Decks Bicycle Racer Back Playing Cards, Hard To Find, Vintage!
1960s Vintage 54 Adult Erotic Mini Playing Cards Full Deck Nude Girls Ladies
Metropolitan Museum -metropolitan Cat Playing Cards In Metal Tin-large Figures
Fulton's Chinatown Game Of Death Playing Cards, Rare Sealed Dan & Dave Deck Nib
Masonic Playing Cards - Full Set - New And Unused
Rare Playing Cardstiffany&co, Gold Edge, Design C.e.carryl From 1879 Collectabl
Nice Double Deck Of Kem Playing Cards / Mint In Box / Still In Wrapper
Antique Playing Cards Music History Washburn Guitar Mandolin Banjo Zither Rare
Vintage Floral Patience Playing Cards Double Deck With Box Piatnik Decks Sealed
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