Politicard -French [politikar]:
Political schemer. A pejorative connotation derived from the French word, "politician."

"Politicards" - political schemers - have been with us since the dawn of time. And they have been lampooned, derided, and satirized on the face of playing cards since the 17th century. Decks of engraved cards have provided a uniquely illustrated view of political history, from the support or derision of royalty, to documentation of wars and rebellions, and satirical jabs aimed at the political figures of every era.

This European tradition found no better home than here in the United States, where the lampooning of political figures became a staple of the national political scene. The civil war elicited several version featuring presidents and generals of the Union and Confederacy, but following WWII, the U.S. political playing card landscape grew quiet.

Fast forward to 1972 and an American public in need of a good laugh and political "new deal." Peter Green, a well-known artist and political caricaturist based in Los Angeles, was approached to collaborate on the design of a chess set featuring the leading political contenders of the day. Peter's extensive experience in political drawing, and relationships with a wide variety of press and media establishments, including the Los Angeles Times, the Washing Post, and Newsweek Magazine, led him to muse that caricatures of the candidates on a deck of playing cards might better capture the imagination and spirit of the nation. Peter enjoyed the wealth of extended metaphors connecting politics and card games dealing, bluffing, jokers, antes, full houses, and so much more certainly a rich playground in which to create this new offering. And his idea proved very sound indeed.

Launched with advertising slogan, "Nixon for King," the entire first printing of "Politicards 1972" sold out in just a few weeks. The Los Angeles Time proclaimed "Politicards Sweeping The Nation!" The entire run became a best seller and ultimately a coveted collector's item.

Politicards was absent from the political scene for a number of elections cycles following 1972, though a less successful attempt to capitalize on the name was made in 1980 and 1984 by another manufacturer and artists. But in 1996 the nation was ripe for a return to the glory of Peter's original vision and caricature concepts. And true to form, the gentle non-partisan satire of Politicards 1996 quickly turned it into the bestselling political collectible of that election.

Peter Green stayed the course in 2000 with another round of fresh caricature illustrations capturing the political humor of the "new millennium." And just as in years past, Politicards 2000 ranks as the top political collectible of the election.

The election of 2008 is right around the corner and the political climate has never been more supercharged. Peter Green continues his commitment to the art of caricature in politics with the release of Politicards 2008. Once again, this collectable classic captures the spirit of the times with clever hand-drawn illustrations, playful non-partisan roasting of leading politicians and pundits, and a brand new feature this year a humorous "Politi-Theme Movie and Movie line" appropriately selected for each character in the deck.

The Political schemers in Washington and around the country are wheeling an dealing in hopes that, if they play their cards right, they will make the cut and appear in the next deck of Politicards!