Experience history through gameplay with the Piatnik Great War Playing Cards, a commemorative deck featuring 54 authentic vintage photographs and posters from the First World War (1914-1918). This unique museum-quality deck honors the sacrifice and courage of soldiers while celebrating the artistic heritage of wartime propaganda and documentation.
A Living History Deck
Rather than traditional playing cards with standard pips and court cards, the Great War deck showcases individual historic imagery on every single card. Each of the 55 cards features a unique photograph or poster from World War I, transforming the deck into a portable museum collection. The imagery spans the entire scope of the Great War—from military operations and weaponry to the home front and historical figures who shaped the conflict.
Partnership with In Flanders Fields Museum
This special deck was created in partnership with the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium, one of Europe's most important repositories of Great War history and artifacts. The museum's curatorial expertise ensures that every image selected carries historical significance and authenticity. The deck serves as both a playing card and an educational tool, making it ideal for history enthusiasts, museum visitors, and collectors of historical ephemera.
Design & Contents
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55 Individual Cards – Every card features a unique historic photograph or propaganda poster from WWI
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Authentic Imagery – Sourced from the In Flanders Fields Museum's extensive collections
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Common Back Design – All card reverses display a coordinating design that unifies the historical narrative
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Premium Bridge-Size Format – Compact 58 x 89mm cards perfect for detailed viewing and handling
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Historically Accurate – Photographs and posters represent major battles, commanders, home front efforts, and the human experience of war
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Tuck Box Display – Beautiful presentation suitable for display or gifting
Card Subjects Include:
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Military Operations – Trenches, battlefields, and major campaigns
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Uniforms & Weaponry – Soldiers in combat gear, artillery, tanks, and aircraft
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Naval Warfare – Battleships, submarines, and maritime combat
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Propaganda Posters – Recruitment, patriotic messaging, and wartime appeals
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Leadership – Military commanders, political leaders, and historical figures
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Home Front – Civilians, nurses, factories, and the civilian experience of war
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Memorials – Monuments and remembrance imagery
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Artistic Heritage – Period artwork capturing the era's spirit
Premium Piatnik Quality
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Fine European Card Stock – Premium materials and manufacturing from Piatnik's Vienna facilities
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Exceptional Print Quality – Crisp, accurate reproduction of historic photographs and posters
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Durable Construction – Built to withstand regular handling and gameplay
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Museum-Grade Standards – Produced according to museum and archival preservation principles
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Made in Austria – Manufactured by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna's legendary card maker since 1824
Perfect For:
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History Enthusiasts – A unique way to explore and learn about World War I
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Museum Visitors – An authentic souvenir from the In Flanders Fields Museum
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Collectors – A one-of-a-kind deck combining playing cards with historical documentation
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Educators – A tangible resource for teaching about WWI history and culture
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Gifts – A meaningful present for history buffs, military history fans, and veterans
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Gameplay – Fully functional cards for traditional card games with added historical interest
The Piatnik Great War deck transforms the ordinary playing card into a window onto history. Whether you use it to play classic card games, study historical imagery, or display as a collectible, this deck honors the memory of those who served while celebrating the artistic and photographic heritage of the Great War era.
