| There is a great deal more to playing cards than initially meets the eye. The casual layman might think immediately of that old dog-eared pack of cards lying around somewhere in the family cupboard (and assuming it's the standard British or American pattern, featuring the famous bewhiskered King, gabled Queen and dashing Knave), and wonder why on earth anyone should want to collect these seemingly prosaic, ordinary and rather everyday items?  Figure 13. A card from a Spanish Charlie Chaplin advertising pack, published in Barcelona in the 1920s
But the history of playing cards is, in itself, a fascinating study. Playing cards have been published in many different patterns, representing different countries and geographical areas, and depicting social history, politics, war, national costume, the world of commerce and trade, and all sorts of other ideas and traditions. Playing cards can, of course, not only be highly decorative, but also be visually beautiful, and for anyone interested in graphics, design or the history of printing and illustration, worthy of considerable attention and study.
Playing cards first appeared in Europe at the end of the 14th century - at least, that is when we have the first record of their existence, often in the form of local anti-gambling ordinances banning the use of cards or dice. The story of playing cards before that date has been the subject of much controversy, argument and speculation, although the current thinking is that playing cards were invented by the Chinese (the inventors of paper) and then came to Europe via the Islamic Empire.
Arguably, one of the most beautiful (and rarest) of all the packs was made for the Visconti-Sforza family of Milan in the 15th century; 35 of these cards are currently in the collection of the Pierpoint Morgan Library in New York. Hand-painted on a thick card, these luxurious, gilt-decorated cards are intended for the game of Tarot or Tarocchi, and have been attributed to Bianca Visconti-Sforza's favourite painter, Bonifacio Bembo. Of the original 78 cards, only four have been lost: the Devil, the Tower, the Knight of Coins (or Money), and the Three of Swords. Attractive facsimiles of this fascinating pack can be bought for a reasonable cost, and would make a worthy, if not particularly valuable, addition to any collection.
But where do you start? The sheer range of patterns, types, styles and designs must seem daunting to a new collector. Initially, an interesting collection might be made of the standard patterns of various countries and regions. Surprisingly, the suit marks can vary from country to country: France, for example, having Hearts, Spades, Diamonds and Clubs; Germany has Hearts, Leaves, Bells and Acorns; the Swiss have Shields, Flowers, Bells and Acorns; and the Italians, Cups, Batons, Swords and Coins.
|
