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Author: Ira Pearlstein (introduction) and Buzz Poole (commentary)

Publisher: Mark Batty Publisher

ISBN: 0-9762245-2-6

Art can come in many varied forms - from sculptures to paintings. So it comes as no surprise that playing cards can be even recognized as a form of art.

Have you ever studied the back of that card you hold in your hand? You’ll find that on the back of all playing cards are designs of all types of artwork. From lively graphics to my very favourite - Art Deco - the endless list goes on. And beneath the art work itself lays a history to the cards and their diverse designs.

This book is for those of you who have an interest in American playing cards dating from the 1930s and 1940s and it is all thanks to a certain Ira Pearlstein who unearthed these featured cards while rummaging through a tumbledown barn. It is a very attractive hardback book in a very unusual shape, which makes it really delightful to handle.

The array of kaleidoscopic cards featured on the first section really caught my eye. I feel certain I have seen and held many of these types myself having a grandmother from the 1930s/40s who is a well-known hoarder of possessions - playing cards a personal favourite. The red backed ones featured in this wonderful book are familiar to me with their Oriental-rug designs that stir up a nostalgic feeling.

 There is a card that has the writing “ABC Oil Burners” set against a pink background and resembles that of a matchbox, which you’d quite often see back in this era. There are others in this section but far too many to mention - you need to see it for yourself.

The next part is on animals and the way in which they have appeared on many playing cards over the years. We have Scottish terriers and dachshunds printed on the backs of many of these cards. The author wonders if these playing cards were designed with children in mind but who says this is true? You can be an adult and still have a very fond spot for animal designs on the backs of cards or anything else.

I loved the card featuring a German Shepherd dog standing proudly - a personal favourite of mine already. There are lots of other dogs on these cards; you just need to take a moment to study them.

But of course, it isn’t all dogs. There are other cards that have bears, deer, roosters and even hens on the backs. Each card design bearing different artwork and style.

There is a set of cards from the same deck that feature a skein of geese. On one card the sky behind the flying ducks is a shade of pink, perhaps reflecting winter and the sunsets that are quite frequent at that time of year. The other has a green sunset - this perhaps reflecting springtime where everything is fresh and green.  Again, you have to see the cards to really get a better sense of what I am talking about.

There are other animal cards; three illustrating the sport of fox hunting. Not something which I approve of and certainly these designs on the backs of the cards are not to my taste. I don’t see why the sport should be made into something good but bearing in mind this was printed between the 1930s and 1940s it probably wasn’t seen as a big deal back then.

There are other sections in this marvellous book showcasing the diverse card designs over the years. From Bygone Eras where many cards represent the 19^th century life of leisure where many people had little else to do but chat all day long onto the menagerie of madness, Quirky Cards.

There is a tiny playing card featured in the Quirky Cards section and the author says “Normal sized playing cards aren’t so difficult to handle, so who needs smaller ones?” perhaps the answer to that is children.  As many children back in the 1930/40s were often taught to be “seen and not heard” maybe these cards were invented for the youngsters to play with and keep them out of mischief. Is it a possibility?

On page 85 there is a card with a large pink beautiful flower on the back.  How marvellous, this has to be a favourite of mine - it combines a form of art deco with a very nostalgic feel, set against a black spotted background.

Strange as it is, Venice in Italy does receive a lot of attention. And what better way to illustrate this than the beautiful cards portraying that of a lover in a gondola playing his mandolin to his beloved.  A card most will fall in love with!

There are many other cards I could mention, including a section on Jokers but you’ll have to get the book yourself to really be able to appreciate the cards inside.

A colourful, weird and wonderful book dedicated to playing cards printed in the 1930s/40s. If you have an eye for American playing card design and art - this is definitely a book worth getting and one that will never date.

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The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:  Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews  CLICK HERE 

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