History Written in Cards: King, Queen, Jack—A Brief History of Playing Cards

Where did playing cards actually come from? How have they changed over the centuries, and why do the decks used in different parts of Europe look different? On October 20, join us for a talk with Dariusz Machałek—a collector and enthusiast of playing cards—who will discuss their history, dating back to the European Middle Ages. Initially handmade and richly decorated, playing cards were an expensive pastime available primarily to the wealthy. However, advances in printing technology eventually made them accessible to the general public, and they became one of the most widespread ways to spend one’s free time. The lecture will be accompanied by slides and a display of original cards from Dariusz Machałek’s collection.