Pack of 'Giant Size Playing Cards' used in stage conjuring tricks
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
20th century
This object is a pack of 'Giant Size Playing Cards' designed for use in stage conjuring tricks. Produced in Austria by Piatnik during the 20th century, the cards were manufactured from printed card using printing inks. The set includes a matching card box constructed from card and finished with flocking.
Each playing card measures 17.8 cm in height and 11.7 cm in width, featuring standard suit and rank indices along with illustrated cards such as a colourful jester on the joker. The accompanying box measures 2.7 cm in height, 13 cm in width, and 19.2 cm in depth. The lid of the box is covered in blue flock material and features a gold label bearing a crown logo alongside the inscription 'Kingsbridge / BILLBOARD / Giant Size Playing Cards / MADE IN AUSTRIA / PIATNIK - VIENNA'.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
These oversized playing cards were specifically intended for stage tricks where conventional playing cards would be too small for members of an audience to easily identify.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Printed card, with card box covered in flock material
- Dimensions
- Height: 17.8 cm; Width: 11.7 cm; Height: 2.7 cm; Width: 13 cm; Depth: 19.2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Piatnik
- Place recorded
- Austria
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Pack of 'Giant Size Playing Cards' used in stage conjuring tricks
- Museum object number
- S.171-1987
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.