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May 18, 1370
First Playing Cards
The first playing cards appeared during the Tang Dynasty in China during 618-907, but the closer dates appear in Europe. Paper printing companies started making cards using machines to press, polish, and cut cards. These cards would end up being used mainly for political influence, yet some gambling was starting to flourish in this time despite the ban on gambling that European countries were placing. -
Jul 20, 1470
Playing Card Symbols Become Popular
A man going by the name "Master of the Banderoles" put into production high quality playing cards with unique symbols. He would make cards for different cultures and areas he visited. One example is playing cards he made that had pictures of children gamboling in numeral cards. These were made with woodcuts instead of engraving in Spain. This sparked the creativity of other card producers to make their own marked cards. -
Mar 17, 1496
Special Occasion Cards
Paper printing cards would make cards for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, parties, and more. One memorable deck was Spanish suited and made to commemorate the marriage in 1496 of Felipe I and Dona Juana. Other were made for religious purposes which usually included crosses and chalices. This spike in eventful cards flourished in Spain more than anywhere. -
Jun 21, 1507
Education Used Playing Cards
Despite the rise in gambling, cards were being used for education. A Franciscan monk named Thomas Murner invented educational playing cards in 1507. He made the cards the same way gambling cards were made but instead of engraving gambling symbols or art he would engrave educational messages. Some examples of this included music cards with notes on it, maps of the area or near by areas, and number and letter cards used for teaching. -
The Royal Charter of Playing Cards.
The people of England petitioned the king for a charter, it was Charles I that granted the charter. This resulted In the formation of The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards. Since the import of cards was so popular it was an easy tax. Charles put a tax of 6 pence or 5 dollars on cards, as it continued to rise it reached up to 25 dollars in today's money. This limited the purchase of cards to the wealthy. -
Printing in the United States
After the launch of Russell, Morgan, and Company, Russell and Morgan , its founders, print their first deck of cards. This changed the way cards were looked at because they were being made with a special glossy coat and paper finish for pristine handling. The deck that changed the company was called Bicycle. This is the standard deck you find in local stores and gas stations. This coat and finish would inspire a lot of other card makers. -
Current Card Production
Now days The U.S Playing Card Company is helping people produce cards with their own touches. A team or cardists, which are people to juggle cards, made their own style of cards with no borders and a special coat finish that has not been released. These are called Virtuoso SS cards. Another popular producer is Fontaine founded by Zach Mueller which has a special paper touch and finish for cardistry. Today possibility is endless when it comes to card innovations -
