Eames House Of Cards Pattern Original Deck 1952 Tigrett Enterprises
The Eames ‘House of Cards’ was a diversely creative toy which, typical of the Eames’s designs, aimed at children and adults alike. There were two packs produced. The first, in 1952, consisted of the ‘pattern deck’ which contained fifty-four cards with a wide variety of textured and/or colored patterns on the one side and a black asterisk on the other.
The second set, produced later, utilized photographs in place of the colored finishes, thus giving it its name of ‘picture deck’. Both sets of cards had 6 slits in them, two on each side and one at each end which allowed the cards to slot into each other, enabling them to create a vastly diverse architectural adventure, especially after the two decks were combined.
The Eames cards were printed by the American Playing Card Company and distributed by Tigrett Enterprises and were produced until the company folded in 1961. In 1953, a larger version called the 'Giant House Of Cards' was released. The Eames' would also use the idea for the 1970 'Computer House Of Cards', made as a gift for attendees of the IBM pavilion at the World Fair in Osaka, Japan. Production was continued in the later 60's by Creative Playthings of Prineton, New Jersey for a short perdiod.
The ‘House of Cards’ also appeared in Europe through the German company Otto Maier and English company Summit Games who produced them under licence from Tigrett.
We decided that the best method of determining the generations of the House Of Cards is best done per region as the US and European versions worked very different years.
| Cards | Box | |
| Length | 2.25" (5.72 cm) | 4.875" (12.38 cm) |
| Width | 3.5" (8.9 cm) | 5.75" (14.60 cm) |
US & First Edition House Of Cards 'Pattern Deck' - 1952
US - First Generation
The US first generation by Tigrett Enterprises
First Edition was released to the marketplace in 1952
The first edition was the 'Pattern Deck' with photographed patterns, textures and designs
Package contained 54 cards, instructions and top Title Card
US & Second Edition House Of Cards 'Picture Deck' - 1952
US - Second Generation
This, the second release 'Picture desk' was released only months following the first 'Pattern deck'
Second Edition was released to the marketplace in 1952,
Second Edition stating 'House Of Cards No 2' on the title card and blue 'Pattern Deck' printed on the box
Package contained 54 cards, instructions and top Title Card
US & Third Edition House Of Cards 'Combination Deck' - 1954
US - Third Generation
The third version of the popular card toy had a change of packaging.
This version combined cards from both the pattern and picture decks to make up the 54 cards.
Pattern cards had a black asterisk on the reverse and picture cards a grey-green one.
Package contained 54 cards, instructions and top Title Card
US & Fourth Edition House Of Cards 'Combination Deck' - 1969
US - Fourth Generation
The fourth generation was released in 1969 by Creative Playthings
This version used cards from both the pattern and picture decks.
The cards were physically smaller than the original Tigrett versions
This generation is seldom seen and found less than even the first Tigrett versions
US & Fifth Edition House Of Cards - 1986
US - Fifth Generation
The fifth generation sees the release of the Cards from the Original Eames Office
This 1980's release used a combination of pictures and patterns in the new deck
The pack was made by Ravensburger and released in co-operation of the The Museum Of Modern Art
The re-founded Eames Office have continued to produce this set since the early 90's.
Europe - First Edition Ravensburger house Of Cards 1960
European First Edition
Early Packaging for the first edition European version in early 60's
Pack made by Otto Maier Ravensburger
Rarely found version in brown packaging.
Ravensburger continued to make the House Of Cards under license from varying US owners
Europe - Second Edition Ravensburger House Of Cards 1969
European Second Edition
Pack made by Otto Maier Ravensburger, in West Germany
Box indicates 'Creative Playthings', the US Owner at the time
Ravensburger continued to make the House Of Cards under license from varying US owners
All Cards - House Of Cards Pattern Deck
All Cards - House Of Cards Picture Deck
The dual packs of the Eames House Of Cards
A pile of the Eames House Of Cards ready for building