Miscellany of Playing Cards: A Photographic Archive

A Gallery of Miscellaneous Playing Card Decks

MISCELLANY
Included here are decks that do not fit into previous categories, highlighting themes that differ from traditional playing cards. Suits & systems alternative systems, combinations, hybrids, indices-only, letter- and colour-based systems (such as Rook, Elfer Raus!, Phase 10, etc.); Chance games Cuckoo, Mer­can­te in Fie­ra, Bell and Hammer, Quitli, Vingt-et-Un, Rou­lette, lotteries, dice, currency; Strategy games Dominoes, Chess, Whot, Uno, repeated numbers games (like Flinch and Skip-Bo), letter-based games, etc.; Asian games Mah Jong, Ha­na­fu­da, Un­sun Ka­ru­ta, Gu­pai; Graphic design & art abstract, collectives, anthologies, transformation cards; Conjuring card magic; Fortune-telling cartomancy with sibyls, oracles, and tarots; Pictorial decks quartets and children's games; Further topics multi-purpose and unique decks.
Suits & Systems
PROTO-SYSTEM
INFOBOXThe origins. The oldest playing cards.
preview Mameluke playing cards
1
OTHER SYSTEMS
INFOBOXBeyond the 5 systems that became classics.
sample Swiss playing cards with unconventional suits sample Czech playing cards with unconventional suits
16
COMBINATIONS
INFOBOXDecks crossing the characteristics of two types, known as Combi- (Switzerland), Kongress- (Germany), and Duplex (Italy).
sample Combined playing cards sample 'Duplex' playing cards
22
HYBRIDS
INFOBOXHybrid patterns within the same suit system.
sample hybrid playing cards
2
INDICES ONLY
INFOBOXDeveloped for the visually impaired. Elimination (or marginalisation) of images.
sample Playing cards with indices only
14
COLOUR-BASED SYSTEMS
INFOBOXColours replacing suits. Proprietary games only.
sample: «Rook» 'Rook' card game sample: «Elfer Raus!» 'Elfer Raus' card game sample: «Phase 10» 'Phase 10' card game
14
LETTER-BASED SYSTEMS
INFOBOXLetters replacing suits. Proprietary games only.
sample 'Rummy' and 'Quit/Block' card games, by Parker
7
Chance Games
CUCKOO
INFOBOXAlso known as «Hexelspiel», «Cambio», «Kille», «Gnav», among others.
sample: italian «cucù» 'Cuckoo' card game sample: austrian «hexelspiel» 'Hexelspiel' card game sample: danish «gnav» 'Gnav' card game sample: swedish «cambio/kille» 'Cambio' or 'Kille' card game
20
«MERCANTE IN FIERA»
INFOBOXPopular Italian auction game.
sample Mercante in Fiera card game
8/16
BELL AND HAMMER
INFOBOXAlso known as "Whitehorse" or «Schimmell». Auction dice game with illustrated cards or boards. Selection from dozens.
sample 'Bell and Hammer' game
9
QUITLI
INFOBOXQuitli or Kvitlech, similar to Blackjack (Pontoon).
sample 'Quitli' or 'Kvitlech' card game
2
«VINGT-ET-UN»
INFOBOXGame similar to Blackjack (Pontoon).
sample 'Vingt-et-un' card game
3
ROULETTE
INFOBOXRoulette & Boule.
sample 'Roulette' with cards
7
LOTTERY GAMES
INFOBOXTombola, Lotto, Bingo, and other lottery-style games.
sample 'Bingo', 'Lotto' and lotteries with cards
5
DICE
INFOBOXCard games using or replacing dice.
sample: «Punta» Dice games with cards
8
CURRENCY
INFOBOXCards, or games, based on currencies.
sample Currency-themed card games
7
Strategy Games
DOMINOES
INFOBOXCard versions of the traditional French game. Includes variants and proprietary games.
sample Card Dominoes
22
proprietary games: «Some'R'Set» 'Some'R'Set' game
16
CHESS
INFOBOXChess-themed decks or games.
sample: «Schachett» Chess playing cards, Schachett game
5
«WHOT»
INFOBOXProprietary game. Geometric symbols instead of suits.
sample 'Whot' card game
5
«UNO»
INFOBOXProprietary game. With variants.
sample: «Uno» 'Uno' card game
13
sample: «mau-mau» (modernised) 'Mau-Mau' card game
2
REPEATED NUMBERS
INFOBOXGames or decks with two or more numerical series. Here, proprietary games only.
sample: «Flinch» 'Flinch' card game sample: «Skip-Bo» 'Skip-Bo' card game
12
LETTERS
INFOBOXGames or decks with letters (used to form or cross words) or syllables (to be matched domino-style).
sample: «Lexicon» Card game with letters, 'Lexicon' sample: «My Word» Card game with letters, 'Tocca a Te' or 'My Word'
19
MUS
INFOBOXPurpose-built decks for this game.
sample 'Mus' playing cards
4
Asian Games
MAH JONG
INFOBOXChinese game. Selection from hundreds.
sample: narrow cards 'Mah-Jong' game with cards, Chinese sample 'Mah-Jong' game with cards, European (1) 'Mah-Jong' game with cards, European (2)
9
HANAFUDA
INFOBOXJapanese game. Selection from hundreds.
sample 'Hanafuda' cards, Japanese sample: westernised 'Hanafuda' cards (1)
8
UNSUN KARUTA
INFOBOXA Japanese deck of Portuguese origin.
preview 'Unsun Karuta' cards
1
GUPAI
INFOBOXDespite being described as Chinese dominoes, this is another game, with different origins and uses.
sample 'Gupai' (Chinese dominoes) with cards
10
Graphic Design & Art
ABSTRACT ART
INFOBOXDecks featuring geometric and non-representational designs.
sample Abstract playing cards, designed by Jean Garçon
14+1
COLLECTIVES & ANTHOLOGIES
INFOBOXDecks by multiple artists or with selected cards.
sample: collective Collective playing cards sample: anthology Anthology playing cards, aces of coins
12
TRANSFORMATION
INFOBOXScenes added around the pips without altering their position. Reproductions only.
sample Transformation playing cards
10
Conjuring
CARD MAGIC
INFOBOXGaff and trick decks for magicians (and cheaters).
sample Playing cards for magicians
10
Fortune-Telling
CARTOMANCY
INFOBOXDecks used for divination, like sibyls, oracles, and esoteric tarots.
sample: «Lenormand» 'Lenormand' fortune-telling playing cards sample: «Biedermeier Aufschlagkarten» Fortune-telling playing cards, 'Biedermeier Aufschlagkarten'
29
sample: «Grand Etteilla» tarot 'Grand Etteila' Tarot cards, court cards 'Grand Etteila' Tarot cards, trump suit sample: «Rider Waite» tarot 'Rider Waite' Tarot cards, court cards 'Rider Waite' Tarot cards, trump suit
16
Pictorial Decks
QUARTETS
INFOBOXA selection of beautifully illustrated decks.
sample: «Grossstädte Europas» Quartets, European cities sample: «Deutsche Volkstrachten» Quartets, German costumes sample: authors Quartets, Authors
32
sample: Swiss-themed Quartets with Swiss themes
14
sample: Hand-coloured photo German Quartets, with photos
4
CHILDREN'S GAMES
INFOBOXBlack Peter, Old Maid, Happy Families, Snap, etc. A selection from hundreds: an introductory overview.
sample Card games for children: 'Old Maid', 'Happy Families' etc
21
Further Topics
MULTI-PURPOSE
INFOBOXDecks combining cards with dominoes, letters, numbers, etc.
sample Multi-purpose playing card decks
4
UNIQUE
INFOBOXSpecial decks that do not yet have a specific section.
sample: «Double Action» 'Double Action' playing card sample: «Gavitt's Stock Exchange» 'Gavitt's Stock Exchange' game
21
BACKS ONLY
INFOBOXSmall selection of single backs, rescued from dispersed decks.
sample
1
NOT INTEGRATED
INFOBOXA few European decks not yet assigned.
sample
13
Home Fre Ger Swi Spa Ita Mix

Miscellany of Playing Cards: A Photographic Archive

A Gallery of Miscellaneous Playing Card Decks

 
A Visual Archive of Playing Cards
MISCELLANY

LAST UPDATED: 16 SEP 2026

Selected deck:
A pack designed by Jean Garçon and made by Grimaud
INV 2864 | A pack designed by Jean Garçon and made by Grimaud

Suits & systems
sample
sample
topic
Mameluke playing cards
Proto-system

The origins. The oldest playing cards.
Proto-system [1]
Swiss playing cards with unconventional suits
Czech playing cards with unconventional suits
Other systems

Beyond the 5 systems that have become classics.
Other systems [16]
Combined playing cards
'Duplex' playing cards
Combinations

Decks crossing the characteristics of two types.
Combined systems or patterns [22]
hybrid playing cards
Hybrids

Hybrid patterns within the same suit system.
Hybrids [2]
Playing cards with indices only
Indices only

Developed for the visually impaired.
Elimination (or marginalisation) of images.
Indices only [14]
'Elfer Raus' card game
'Rook' card games
Colour-based systems

Colours replacing suits, such as «Rook», «Elfer raus!», and «Phase 10».
Colour-based systems [14]
'Quit' or 'Block' card game
Letter-based systems

Letters replacing suits, like in «Rummy» and «Block/Quit».
Letter-based systems [7]

Chance games
sample
sample
topic
'Cuckoo' card game
'Hexelspiel' card game
Cuckoo

Also known as «Hexelspiel», «Cambio», «Kille», «Gnav», among others.
"Cuckoo" [20]
Mercante in Fiera card game
«Mercante in Fiera»

Popular Italian auction game.
"Mercante in Fiera" [8/16]
'Bell and Hammer' game
Bell and Hammer

Also known as "Whitehorse" or «Schimmell». Auction dice game with illustrated cards or boards.
Bell and Hammer [9]
'Quitli' or 'Kvitlech' card game
Quitli

Quitli or Kvitlech, similar to Blackjack (Pontoon).
Quitli [2]
'Vingt-et-un' card game
«Vingt-et-un»

Game similar to Blackjack (Pontoon).
"Vingt-et-un" [3]
'Roulette' with cards
Roulette

Roulette & Boule.
Roulette [7]
'Bingo', 'Lotto' and lotteries with cards
Lottery games

Tombola, Lotto, Bingo, and other lottery-style games.
Lottery games [5]
Dice games with cards
Dice

Card games using or replacing dice.
«Punta», Craps & others [8]
Currency-themed card games
Currency

Cards, or games, based on currencies.
Currency [7]

Strategy games
sample
sample
topic
'Some'R'Set' game
Card Dominoes
Dominoes

Card versions of the traditional French game. With proprietary games.
Dominoes [22] | Proprietary games [16]
Chess playing cards
Chess

Chess-themed decks or games.
Chess [5]
'Whot' card game
«Whot»

Proprietary game.
Geometric symbols instead of suits.
Whot [5]
'Uno' card game
«Uno»

Proprietary game. With variants.
Uno & variants [13] | Mau-Mau [2]
'Flinch' card game
Repeated numbers

Games or decks with two or more numerical series, such as «Flinch» and «Skip-Bo».
Repeated numbers [12]
Card game with letters, 'Tocca a Te' or 'My Word'
Card game with letters, 'Lexicon'
Letters

Games or decks with letters (used to form or cross words) or syllables (to be matched domino-style).
Cards with letters [19]
'Mus' playing cards
Mus

Purpose-built decks for this game.
Mus [4]

Asian games
sample
sample
topic
'Mah-Jong' game with cards, Chinese
'Mah-Jong' game with cards
Mah Jong

Chinese game.
Selection from hundreds.
Mah Jong [9]
'Hanafuda' cards (1)
'Hanafuda' cards (2)
Hanafuda

Japanese game.
Selection from hundreds.
Hanafuda [8]
'Unsun Karuta' cards
Unsun Karuta

A Japanese deck of Portuguese origin.
Unsun Karuta [1]
'Gupai' (Chinese dominoes) with cards
Gupai

Despite being described as Chinese dominoes, this is another game, with different origins and uses.
Gupai [10]

Graphic design & art
sample
sample
topic
Abstract playing cards
Abstract art

Decks featuring geometric and non-representational designs.
Abstract art [14+1]
hybrid and collective playing cards
Collectives and anthologies

Decks by multiple artists or with selected cards.
Collectives and anthologies [12]
Transformation playing cards
Transformations

Scenes added around the pips without altering their position. Reproductions only.
Transformation playing cards [10]

Conjuring & fortune-telling
sample
sample
topic
Playing cards for magicians
Card magic

Gaff and trick decks for magicians (and cheaters).
Card magic [23]
'Lenormand' fortune-telling playing cards
Fortune-telling playing cards
Cartomancy

Sibyls & oracles.
Cartomancy [29]
'Grand Etteila' Tarot cards
'Rider Waite' Tarot cards
Tarots

Esoteric tarots.
Tarots [16]

Pictorial decks
sample
sample
topic
'Authors' card game and others
Quartets with Swiss themes
Quartets

A selection of beautifully illustrated decks.
Culture [32] | Swiss topics [14] | Photographic quartets [4]
Card games for children: 'Old Maid', 'Happy Families' etc
Children's games

Black Peter, Old Maid, Happy Families, Snap, etc. A selection from hundreds: an introductory overview.
Children's games [21]

Other
sample
sample
topic
Multi-purpose playing card decks
Multi-purpose

Decks combining cards with dominoes, letters, numbers, etc.
Multi-purpose decks [4]
'Double Action' playing card
'Gavitt's Stock Exchange' game
Unique

Special decks that do not yet have a specific section.
Unique [23]
Backs only

Small selection of single backs, rescued from dispersed decks.
Backs only [1]
Not integrated

A few European decks not yet assigned.
Not integrated [13]