Where to Find Hi-Res Playing Cards Images

Where to Find Hi-Res Playing Cards Images

I'm trying to add some functionalty to the klondike solitaire project, so I started to look for resources. To my surprise, I discovered there are exising playing cards as old as from 14th century. While those cards are not detailed enough to be used in a game as they are, they can be used at least as inspiration, or even as a base or starting point for a deck of cards that can be used in a computer game nowdays. Wouldn't be cool to play a game using the same cards as people were using 500 years ago?

Finding high-quality images of playing cards, especially from historical periods like the 14th to 17th centuries, can be a challenge. Especially if you want the cards to have an authentic, vintage feel. So I built this list, with libraries, museums, and other resources for detailed scans.

I tried to include in the list only the ones which provide the images under public domain license, but make sure you check the license of each image you plan to use. I think it's worth mentioning that pictures of old collection items are copurighted to the person who owns them.

Here’s a list of the best places to find them:

1. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is an incredible resource for historical playing cards. Their Open Access platform offers public domain images in high resolution. Here are some highlights:

This is an excellent place to start for high-resolution images of early playing cards.

2. The New York Public Library (NYPL)

The NYPL’s digital collections also house several playing card images from the early 1700s, available under Open Access (CC0). You can explore their collection here:

3. The British Museum

The British Museum has a robust archive of playing cards, including some from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Their collection requires licensing for commercial use, but the fees are reasonable. Check out these examples:

For licensing details, visit their image services page: BM Images.

4. Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)

The French national library (BnF) hosts an extensive collection of playing cards, sorted by date. While navigating their catalog can be a bit clunky, it’s worth the effort for rare finds. Start here:

Look for the "Consulter en ligne" option to view scans.

5. The MET

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also offers a variety of historical playing cards, many of which are in the public domain:

Bonus: Other Resources

If these sources don’t cover everything you’re looking for, try these:

Sources:

Conclusion

For my Klondike Solitaire project, these resources proved invaluable. The high-resolution images, often in the public domain, allowed me to create a visually stunning and authentic experience. Whether you're a game developer, filmmaker, or historian, these collections can elevate your project with historical charm.