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Origin of Playing Cards

It is not known from where playing cards originated, nor has it been easy to document their introduction to European culture. Playing cards appeared in Europe almost everywhere at once in the latter half of the 14th century. Various explanations have been proposed for their arrival, but none have pieced together the entire story. Read More »


Card Masters of the 19th Century

Lewis I. Cohen Lawrence and Cohen Thomas de la Rue
Samuel Hart Andrew Dougherty Ferdinand Piatnik

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Split Spades Split Spades Hoyles Shell Backs Shell Backs Texan 1889 Playing Cards Texan 1889
Lee Asher Lee Asher Jerry Nugget Playing Cards Jerry's Nugget Bicycle Centurians Centurions
Early Standards Early English Court Cards

Very little is known of English manufactures, but it is clear to see the origins of the standard English court card, and its patrimony in the French Rouen design. MORE »


Standards Standard Playing-Cards

The Anglo-American standard playing-card is a modern version of the English court card. The standard is defined by the objects, weapons, and other incidentals assigned to each character of the Royal Household. MORE »


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Alphabetical Index of Card Games
Acey Deucey
All Fours
Auction Pitch
Basra
Bezique
Black Maria
Bolivia
Boston
Bourré
Brazilian Canasta
Bridge
Briscola
Briscola Barstarda
Buck Euchre
California Jack
Call Ace Euchre
Canasta
Cinch
Cuban Canasta
Clover Jack
Conquian
Cut Throat
Doppelkopf
Double Pedro
Ecarte
Euchre
Fildinsky
Five Card Stud
Five Hundred
Gaigel
German Solo
German Whist
Gin Rummy
HandJass
Hearts
KlabberJass
KlaverJass
L'Hombre
Loo
Knaves
Napoleon
Ninety-Nine
Old Sledge
Omaha
Panguingue
Pepper
Pinochle
Piquet
Poker
Polignac
Polish Bezique
Preference
Railroad Euchre
Rickety Kate
Rubicon Bezique
Rummy
Samba
Schafskopf
Seven Card Stud
Seven Up
Shasta Sam
Skat
Six-Bid
Sixty Six
Slobberhannes
Spades
Spanish Solo
Spoil Five
Texas Hold'em
Whist


L I N K S
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Site Map

History of Cards
A Brief History
Origin of Cards
French Regions
Origin French Suits
Lewis I Cohen
Samuel Hart
Gallery of Cards
Early Standards
Standards
European Standards
Danish Standards
Card Backs
Bicycle Classics
Early Standards
Texan 1889
Marlboro Texan
Samuel Hart 1870
A. Dougherty 1865
De La Rue 1834
L. Hewson 1680
Standards
English Standard
The English Pattern
U.S.P.C.C.
Hoyles
Copag
Pippoglyphs