The game of Hearts can be played with a standard deck of playing cards, as many people have done over the years. A special deck is not required for this game. In using a standard deck, the "Point Cards" are the Heart suit. Nevertheless, the photograph at the left illustrates a deck especially designed for this game.
The deck was manufactured by Witman Publishing Company, Racine, Wisconsin (US), and copyright 1951. It was donated to the Museum in 1971. The box (right side of the photograph) is the type in which the bottom (6.6cm long x 4.5cm wide x 2cm high) has an open left side to hold the cards, and then is slipped into the top (6.7cm long x 4.6cm wide x 2.2cm high) which has an open right side.
The 42 cards (6.3cm long x 4.2cm wide) have red backs as can be seen in the photograph (bottom row right). The cards are divided into 4 suits: 11 with black stars, 11 with black anchors, 10 with red diamonds, 10 with red hearts. The front of the cards includes the suit symbol on the upper left and lower right corners. Each card has a large number in the center ranging from 1 to 11.
Last update March 8, 2010