We all love a game of cards, don’t we?

I usually take a deck when we go camping, or on holiday. And they always come out at some point over Christmas too.

I have many fond memories of playing Newmarket, or Trumps, or Cheat with friends and family over the years. Losing usually, but never minding too much.

The decks of cards I own are just the plain, ordinary common-or-garden ones. You know, with those scrolly patterns on the back in red and blue and gold.

However, I have long admired the artwork found on the backs of vintage playing cards.

You see them crop up on Ebay and Etsy, sold in ones and twos usually, for framing I suppose, or making artwork with.

Such an array of colour and subject matter; so much retro loveliness to be found in these miniature works of art.

Just lurking there, unnoticed for the most part, hiding their light not under a bushel, but on the reverse of the business side of things…

It makes me wonder about the people that drew these designs. Who were they?

I imagine they were perhaps in-house designers, or maybe freelance illustrators producing their pictures and selling them on to publishers or manufacturers.

I wonder whether they were well paid, or if they scratched out a meagre living?

I actually have no idea.

The designers / artists are generally uncredited on the playing cards themselves, anonymous and unknown.

But, as you can see, their wonderful designs live on.

You can find these and more designs on my newest Pinterest board – follow along as I collect them. ♥